The Nigerian military yesterday said 12 soldiers and 13 policemen were killed in the gun battle that followed Boko Haram attacks on security forces in Buni Yadi town of Yobe state.
The Defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade announced the figures at the daily press conference by the National Information Centre at the National Orientation Agency in Abuja.
General Olukolade said suggestions that the troops in Buni Yadi were abandoned by the military command during the attack are not true.
He explained that, “The logistics will have to be understood and it will not be proper just to conclude that there were no help or
response.”
“However, we will continue to respond based on logistics that is available and information that is made available as quickly as possible,” General Olukolade added.
He also maintained that the Nigerian military is aware of the locations where over 200 abducted Chibok secondary school girls were being held.
General Olukolade said he could not add to the information on the locations of the girls as already disclosed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshal Alex Badeh.
The Defence spokesperson said, “let everyone believe what the Chief of Defence Staff said and if you don’t believe, wait for developments but our interest is in the safety of these children and every effort will be put towards that and we expect cooperation from everyone.”
He insisted that, “we remain with the position taken by the CDS. When we have any further comments or developments, the nation will be told.”
Asked on reports that terrorists have hoisted their flags in some communities in Borno State, General Olukolade stated the determination of the Nigerian military to continue to defend the territorial integrity of the country.
He noted that, “Nigerian armed forces will not allow any portion of this country to bear any strange flag. It is our duty and responsibility to defend the territorial integrity of this country. We
will not allow any strange flag to fly anywhere.”
Olukolade also revealed that intelligence reports and information provided by Nigerians, has led to the arrest of terror suspects in parts of Kaduna and Zamfara states.
“Troops have continued to raid different locations. A number of arrests has been made in Kachia and Zamfara,” adding that some suspects were killed in gunfights with security forces during raids, while troops recovered arms and ammunitions in the process.
General Olukolade also revealed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the Jos bombing.
