B/Haram attack: Five soldiers feared killed, 30 missing in Yobe · No soldier died -Military

Five soldiers were killed and about 30 missing following an attack Sunday evening by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a military base in Kanamma town, the headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Although official military information channel has said no soldier was killed in the attack, a top security source who objected to being named told our correspondent that five bodies of soldiers were taken from the attack scene.

“We lost five men in the attack. Their bodies have been recovered and the terrorists overpowered. But, about 30 soldiers are missing in action (MIA),” the source said.

The source added that the insurgents were close to overrunning the base when they were overpowered after more soldiers arrived following a reinforcement order. “A large number of the insurgents were killed while some fled the scene with bullet wounds,” the source said.

A vigilante group member told our correspondent that he saw five bodies of the soldiers taken in an ambulance by the military.

“I learnt that the corpses were taken to Damaturu or Maiduguri. Also, the insurgents took away two military vehicles before they were subdued by soldiers who used a fighter jet that killed many of them,” he said.

The Army spokesperson, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, confirmed the incident but denied any casualty.

“There was an attack on our troops two days ago by the Boko Haram terrorists. The attack was repelled and our soldiers are in hot pursuit of the insurgents. No casualty was recorded on own side but insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

The Boko Haram militants attacked the military base in Kanamma town on Sunday around 5:45 pm.