BOkO HARAM INVASION OF MONGUNO, BORNO STATE AND MATTERS ARISING: I speak with the authority of a citizen who has one ear to the ground in official quarters. At about 0400hours on Sunday morning, the Nigeria Army Brigade in Monguno, Borno state came under heavy fire power attack by the boko haram insurgents. After a sustained battle by about 400 Army personnel from the entire brigade, the gallant ill equipped soldiers of the brigade tactically maneuvered and retreated into the bush due to the superior fire power and large contigent of the over 2,000 Boko Haram insurgents. During the tactical retreat towards Maiduguri the Army contingent ran into another ambush by Boko Haram but were able to repel the insurgents. In the ensuing battle the Brigade Commandant, Brigadier General Yessin, Colonel Shuaibu and few others were shot and injured. After about 7 hours of tactical evasive maneuver, and criss crossing bush path the Army conveying their wounded got to Maimalari barracks (HQ of 7 division of the Nigerian Army) on the outskirt of Maiduguri. Following directives from above, the wounded soldiers were taken to the hospital while the others were directed to stay outside the gate of the barracks. These gallant soldiers remain outside the barracks for 30 hours. Under the inclement weather. These soldiers endured the cold of the night and the heat of the day, despite their ordeal they were not offered water, food or blankets. They were left at the mercy of the elements. From the gate of the 7th Division, the soldiers were all conveyed to a place along Damboa road, yesterday in the afternoon without water, food or shelter. As we speak these contingent of the Nigerian Army are left in the middle of nowhere and as sitting targets for boko haram. They have been without food and water for over 72hours now. If the soldiers refuse to confront Boko Haram in their present dispirited state, the military high command will drag them before orderly room trial or court martial and sentence them to death for refusing superior orders. This attitude and actions of the leadership of the military is indicting and also not expected of a 21st century military...... This is the reason why the Boko Haram insurgency is having a field day. The Nigerian military has a strength of about 60,000 troops and we send only 400 soldiers to man a brigade in the hotbed of crisis where about 5,000 ragtag insurgents are having a field day! This is unacceptable to say the least! The big question is how sincere is the Nigeria government in its fight against Boko Haram? You be the judge!
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:44:29 +0000