Boko Haram kills 40, 65 Soldiers still Missing in surprise Borno Attack

Unconfirmed report says at least 40 Nigerian soldiers were killed and 65 others are missing in an attack carried out by suspected members of the extremist group, Boko Haram in Borno state.

The casualty figure can be said to be one of the heaviest on a single attack since the declaration of the state of emergency by the president five months ago in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The incident occurred along the Baga, Maiduguri road on Friday, September 13, in what can be described as a classic case of operational and communication failure.

A detachment of soldiers under the 134 Battalion of the 12 Brigade under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) stationed in Kangarwa village in Kukawa local government, had conducted a reconnaissance to gather intelligence around the area, during which they established the presence of previously unnoticed Boko Haram camps.

Due to lack of communication, the troop ran into the terrorists without knowing that the aerial bombardment had been cancelled and they were caught unawares.

The soldiers were trapped in the ambush under heavy fire from the militants who had surrounded the area, leaving at least 40 soldiers dead and 65 others have remained missing. http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/09/17/boko-haram-ambush-claims-40-soldiers-as-65-remain-missing-in-borno/

Army authorities disclosed, yesterday, that 15 soldiers and a lieutenant have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists along the Baga-Maiduguri Road in Borno State, while 150 sect members were killed by troops of the 7th Division during a fierce battle with the insurgents last weekend.

Defence sources, however, contradicted the casualty figure, saying at least 40 soldiers were killed and 65 others missing in a deadly ambush by the suspected members of Boko Haram.

Confirming the incident, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim, stated that on September 12, 2013, troops from 81 Battalion under 7th Division of the Nigerian Army acting on intelligence report gathered that the insurgent had regrouped at Kafiya forest and were planning to launch an attack.

"Following the information, the troops launched an attack and destroyed the enemy camp, and during the encounter that lasted several hours, the troops killed 150 insurgents while one Lieutenant and 15 soldiers lost their lives".

According to the Army spokesman, the enemy camp was well fortified with anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns mounted on vehicles. - Vanguard