The Nigerian army has lost almost 46 soldiers to Boko Haram insurgents, including a high profile lieutenant- colonel.
The
officer, a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Award, for exceptional
bravery and excellence, led the army units that recovered Gamboru-Ngala,
Baga and several communities from the insurgents.
The Army had since the death of Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Abu Ali been sulking and deeply pained.
The
military saw Abu Ali as “the face of the campaign against Boko Haram
which embodied commitment, loyalty, service and hope for a better,
peaceful and prosperous nation”.
The Army has
described Lt-Col Ali as its most efficient fighter who has died after
surviving deadly onslaughts and dodging bullets for years.
Abu Ali and his soldiers were ambushed by Boko Haram fighters who killed over 40 soldiers and losing 14 of their men.
But the official figure released by the military put the casualty at five, including Abu Ali.
Abu Ali was the commanding officer of 272 Tank Battalion and was reputed as the army’s bravest commander.
An official said the attack occurred at Mallam Fatori, a major Boko Haram stronghold on Friday.
Abu Ali was hit by several bullets as he and his men fought to repel the insurgents.
The
Spokesman of the Military, Col Sani Usman, released conflicting details
on the encounter in Malam Fatori leading to public misinformation.
Usman
said on Saturday that a successful encounter in the town of Malam
Fatori led to the death of several insurgents, Boko Haram operatives.
But other sources say a least 46 soldiers were killed, including the high profile officer.
As
the fight against the insurgents gets tougher, the Army have also
raised the alarm over suspected sabotage by some highly-placed elders in
northeast who are aiding the insurgents
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