Jilli Attack: Nigerians Ask Questions As Pictures Of Slain Soldiers Flood Social Media
IT’S been one week since Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in Jilli, Geidam local Government Area of Yobe State, North East Nigeria, killing several soldiers, while many were said to be missing.
Same day, Saturday 14 July, 2018, the insurgents ambushed a military convoy in Boboshe village in Bama local government area of Borno State.
Though the Nigerian Army authorities denied the reports, saying that only one soldier and one officer were injured in the attack,and that they were receiving adequate treatment, The ICIR reported that 62 soldiers lost their lives in the attack, and several others were yet to be accounted for.
“When Boko Haram opened fire on the troops, they tried to fight back but were overpowered. Boko Haram fighters arrived with many anti-aircraft guns while the soldiers were limited to AK-47 riffles. The only support weapons readily available were machine guns but these are very old and not too reliable. It intermittently stops when being fired and this is not good in a battlefield,” a credible military source told The ICIR.
Nigerian Army✔@HQNigerianArmy
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the round alleging attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Nigerian Army✔@HQNigerianArmy
The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.
Despite the denial by the army, family members and friends of soldiers who lost their lives in the attack started uploading their pictures on the social media, as proof that the attack actually took place. Many of such post condemned the Nigerian government for their lack of sincerity and empathy.
One of the tweets read: “There’s no greater insult to the Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram than the denial by the Military that they were killed. This is Politics taken too far. You dishonour them by denying they paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and weaken the morale of those alive.”
Read other reactions on twitter below:
Godswill Ejelonu@GodswillEjelonuYou were a friend, brother, former classmate, a very lively fellow, a peacemaker, a brilliant, neat and go to guy and ultimately a gallant soldier. @A_Salkida R.I.P Lance Corporal Emmanuel Erasmus Okoi a. k. a Shimirano, FGC Ikot Ekpene 2007 Set mourns
Florence Ozor™@FlorenceOzorR.I.P Lance Corporal Emmanuel Erasmus Okoi a. k. a Shimirano, FGC Ikot Ekpene 2007 Set mourns
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/onfDvFCusU
Ugbabe Justice@elugzyLt. Lirfa Benjamin Dashe, one of the soldiers abushed by BH.
He paid the Supreme price in the defense of our country.
We are eternally grateful to you and all fallen heroes.
He was a class mate from UniJos, a gentleman to the core.
Good night bro. @A_Salkida @ogundamisi
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Source: https://www.icirnigeria.org/jilli-attacks-nigerians-ask-questions-as-pictures-of-slain-soldiers-flood-social-media/
