Army Disputes Report of 40 Soldiers Killed in Sambisa Forest Attacks
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that more than 40 soldiers were killed during recent terrorist attacks in parts of Borno State, describing the figure as inaccurate and based on unverified sources.
The controversy followed widely circulated online reports alleging that coordinated assaults on several communities in the state resulted in heavy military casualties.
In a response to the claims, the Army said the reports presented a misleading account of the incident and failed to acknowledge the resistance mounted by troops who defended both their positions and nearby communities.
According to military authorities, the attacks were carried out by remnants of Boko Haram fighters who had earlier been driven out of the Sambisa Forest during sustained military operations.
The insurgents were said to have regrouped before launching coordinated night attacks on communities and troop locations around Konduga, Ngoshe, Mainok and Jakana.
Military officials confirmed that a commanding officer and several soldiers were killed during the clashes but rejected claims that the death toll reached 40 or that troops were overwhelmed by the attackers.
They stated that soldiers responded swiftly to the assaults, engaging the insurgents from multiple directions and preventing further devastation in surrounding communities. Several terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the firefights.
The attacks, which involved explosives and heavy gunfire under the cover of darkness, also left civilians caught in the crossfire, raising concerns about possible casualties and abductions.
