300 Nigerian soldiers ‘technically manoeuvre into Cameroon’

by Akan Ido

Reports from the Cameroonian military indicate that as many as 300 Nigerian soldiers may have crossed the border while fleeing from attacks launched on Tuesday by men believed to be Boko Haram Islamic insurgents.

According to a Cameroonian military source, the number of army deserters may be more adding that their exact number is yet to be ascertained.

Many residents of Mubi, the second largest city in Adamawa fled their community when insurgents sacked the area. Several people complained that the area was not well secured making it easy for Boko Haram to overrun it.

Speaking to the Punch on Friday under the condition of anonymity, the Cameroonian military source who is involved in the provision of welfare materials to the deserters said, “They (Nigerian soldiers) are mostly around Boucla village in Bourha sub-division.

“So far, we can estimate the number of arrivals to be at about 300. These are the ones who arrived in uniform but we know that there are several others who shed their uniforms for civilian attires.”

The source disclosed that the soldiers would be disarmed, fed, camped away from the border and later repatriated back to Nigeria.

The Cameroonian military were said to have begun screening of deserters and refugees to prevent infiltration by insurgents.

The Nigerian military had, months ago after a similar incident, denied that its troops fled under attack from rampaging Boko Haram insurgents explaining that the move was a “technical manoeuvre” to contain the militants.

Observers are, however, of the opinion that these cross border manoeuvres are happening too often considering the circumstances.

Comments (2)

  1. *in Jofferey Starks voice* kill them! Kill them all!

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