Soldiers of the Seventh Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State on Wednesday protested what was described as the continuous killing of troops in the mission area by insurgents due to deceit and betrayal.
Investigations revealed that 10 soldiers were killed when troops of the Seventh Infantry Division ran into an ambush of the insurgents at a community called Muleh in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday. Several others put at between 20 and 30 are said to be missing
Muleh is located along the Maiduguri-Biu Road.
Investigations revealed that the soldiers became incensed when they sighted the bodies of their fallen colleagues and friends with several others injured in the gruesome attack.
A security source said that the angry soldiers went wild when the General Officer Commanding the Division, Maj-Gen. Abubakar Mohammed, attempted to address them.
The angry soldiers were said to have shot repeatedly into the air which made several of their calmer colleagues to run for cover.
It was learnt that the enraged soldiers attempted to attack the official vehicle of the GOC who was quickly ferried out of the Maimalari Barracks.
It was gathered that the soldiers insisted that nobody would bury the corpses of those killed in the latest attack.
Our correspondent gathered that the soldiers were angered by the fact that military operations in the area were now marred by information leakages to the insurgents by their loyalists.
The source could not give our correspondent the exact number of those killed and injured in the operation.
The source said, “You know, soldiers are protesting here, they are angry because of the death of many of their colleagues at Muleh on Monday night.
“The troops were on their way for an operation when they were ambushed by the insurgents. Many of them were killed and many injured.
“So, today (Wednesday), when they saw the bodies of their colleagues and those injured, they became enraged. They could hardly restrain themselves.
“They shot repeatedly into the air. Several people had to run for cover, they even chased away the GOC. He tried to talk to them but they insisted that they would not allow anybody to bury the dead soldiers.
“I think they are angry because this is not the first time this thing is happening. They have the belief that some people leak their operations to Boko Haram.
“How come that they know troops movement? Are they saying that they can’t track down such elements in or outside the army?”
It was further learnt that the troops were infuriated because a similar incident occurred during an operation at Bellambulin, a few days ago.
It was gathered that the Special Force, were on their way for an operation when they ran into an ambush of the insurgents at Belambuli.
A source said that the insurgents were alerted of troops advance towards the area and laid an ambush for them.
It was said that two soldiers died while many sustained serious injuries in the battle in which several insurgents were also killed.
It was gathered that the insurgents climbed the trees and other hills to await the advance of the troops
It was further gathered that a lieutenant who was among the injured died in the early hours of Wednesday which also fuelled the troops frustration and anger against the GOC and the military commanders in Maiduguri. PUNCH.
