16 Soldiers Killed, as 149 Boko Haram Fighters and a Field Commander Confirmed Dead - Army

Sixteen soldiers lost their lives while 150 suspected insurgents have been killed during a military operation targeting a Boko Haram camp in Borno State, the Army headquarters said in Abuja on September 17, 2013, Tuesday. Nine other soldiers are still missing following the clash at Kafiya Forest.

Brigadier General Attahiru Ibrahim, the Army spokesman, said the incident happened on September 12, 2013, Thursday, but authorities confirmed the casualty figures only on September 17, following a story on the Internet that gave a much higher death toll.

Brig.Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim claimed that on September 12, troops from the Maiduguri-based 7 Division embarked on aggressive patrol around the forest and launched an assault on a Boko Haram camp.

“During the assault, we killed over 150 insurgents and we lost an officer and 15 soldiers, with about nine soldiers missing in action,” he said.

Brig.Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim added that a Boko Haram commander, known as Abba Goroma, who had a N10 million bounty on his head, was liquidated during the clash.

The Army spokesman also noted that the camp was well-fortified with anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft guns mounted on vehicles.

Brig.Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim denied a report on the Internet on September 17, 2013  that said up to 40 soldiers were killed and 65 others missing after an ambush by insurgents.

Nevertheless some doubts on the latest statement by the Army still exist, as the authorities have downplayed military casualties in the past.