The Nigerian Army has dismissed six soldiers for allegedly abandoning their posts during a Boko Haram attack in Borno State.
The soldiers, part of the counterinsurgency operation known as Operation Lafiya Dole, were reportedly involved in a confrontation with the insurgents near Damboa, a town that has been a frequent target of militant activities.
The dismissed soldiers are identified as 19NA/78/0690 PTE Olaniyi Emmanuel, 20NA/79/3745 PTE Masa’udu Adamu, 22NA/82/5192 PTE Abdul Azee Saleh, 22NA/82/1721 PTE Mohammed Mohammed, 22NA/82/1191 PTE Adah Toye, and 22NA/82/1909 PTE Hassan Abubakar.
The Army’s action followed accusations that these soldiers withdrew from the battlefield, which is seen as a serious dereliction of duty, especially in the face of ongoing security challenges in the region.
A source close to the situation disclosed that the soldiers were dismissed after it was reported that they fled during a Boko Haram attack, which resulted in the deaths of over ten soldiers.
However, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially confirm the incident or acknowledge any casualties from the attack.
The source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, argued that the punishment was unjust, claiming that the soldiers were forced to retreat due to a lack of ammunition.
“They ran out of ammunition during the fight with the terrorists,” the source said, highlighting a recurring issue of inadequate equipment and resources provided to Nigerian soldiers combating Boko Haram insurgents.
The source lamented that poor firepower and inadequate equipment often leave soldiers vulnerable, sometimes leading to casualties or forced retreats.
“Boko Haram successfully infiltrated our location and caused both killed-in-action (KIA) and wounded-in-action (WIA).
Some of our colleagues fled during the battle and were all charged and dismissed for not retaliating,” the source added, emphasising the dire circumstances faced by the soldiers during the encounter.
The dismissal of these soldiers comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to tackle the insurgency in the North-East, a region that has suffered from years of conflict, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
