The Nigerian Army has declared 104 soldiers attached to the 162 Amphibious Battalion along the Mandara–Buratai Road in Borno State as deserters after missing with their service rifles following a deadly terror attack on their base early June.
Penpushing reports that an army document revealed that the soldiers allegedly absconded from their duty post on June 5, 2026, with their personal weapons after terrorists attacked their location.
The military signal, signed by a lieutenant, FI Ndubuisi, stated that Idris Mohammed, a staff sergeant and 103 others “absconded from their place of deployment to an unknown destination” with their personal weapons after Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists attacked their base.
“In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully affirm to you that said soldiers are yet to report back for duty and are hereby declared deserter(s),” the signal stated.
Penpushing further reports that military sources disclosed that military formations nationwide have been notified to apprehend and hand over the affected personnel found within their areas of responsibility.
The sources added that the bank accounts of the 104 soldiers have been frozen pending their arrest, while the document showed that, those declared deserters comprise one staff sergeant, three sergeants, seven corporals, 38 lance corporals and 55 privates.
Penpushing also reports that the army as at the time of the report, had not issued an official statement on the declaration of the 104 soldiers as deserters, while the Army spokesperson Colonel Appolonia Anele, could not be reached.
The insurgents suspected to be members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), it would be recalled on June 5, 2026 launched an overnight attack on the soldiers at their base, while sources said the terrorists took advantage of heavy rainfall and poor visibility to launch the assault, killing some soldiers.
Penpushing reports that the army confirmed the attack, clarifying that those killed include five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
