Disturbed by reports that 480 Nigerian soldiers have fled into Cameroonian territories following fierce fighting from heavily armed Boko Haram insurgents, the Military authorities have said on Monday that the soldiers were manoeuvring.
In a statement posted on Defence Headquarters website, the authorities said the troops found in Cameroun had to make the move as a result of sustained battle between them and the terrorists around the borders of Cameroun, adding that the soldiers charged through the borders in a tactical manoeuvre.
But Cameroonian officials told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that at least 480 Nigerian soldiers were disarmed and were being held in the protective custody of their gendarmes after the soldiers crossed into Cameroon while fleeing from a fierce attack by the Islamist insurgents.
Stating that the soldiers were not on the run, the DHQ said that the soldiers “eventually found themselves on Cameroonian soil.”
“Being allies, the normal protocol of managing such incident demanded that the troops submit their weapons in order to assure the friendly country that they were not on a hostile mission,” the statement read.
“Following necessary discussions between Nigerian and Cameroonian military authorities, the issues have been sorted out. Subsequently, the troops are on their way back to join their unit in Nigeria.
“The reference to the incidence as a defection is therefore not appropriate considering the discussion between the two countries’ military leadership and the series of contacts with the soldiers who have confirmed that they are safe.”
Meanwhile, troops are repelling a group of terrorists who are trying to enter the country through Gamboru-Ngala. A group of them who fizzled into the town are being pursued.
Leader of the Boko Haram, Shekau at the weekend had proclaimed Gwoza an “Islamic Caliphate” in an announcement that was described by the military as delusional.
In the video, Shekau had said that the group has established an Islamic state in the towns and villages under its controls in north-eastern Nigeria.
The sect’s five-year insurgency has intensified in recent months despite the deployment of thousands of extra troops to the worst-affected areas.
Meanwhile, Military campaigns are being hindered by lack of equipment, sophisticated weapons and political will to call the spade a spade and declare war.
Just last week, a group of soldiers refused to be deployed to fight Boko Haram, saying the militants were better equipped. Recent promises by the authorities of better equipment and weapons lend credence to the soldiers’ outcry.
The insurgents also seized one of the country’s two main police training academies, at Gwoza to further stamp its authority in the region.
