According to military sources who spoke with SaharaReporters, the Nigerian Army has dismissed six soldiers for allegedly fleeing during a Boko Haram attack.
The soldiers attached to the counterinsurgency operation in the North-East, known as Operation Lafiya Dole were said to have fled from the scene of a Boko Haram attack around Damboa, a community in Borno State during the month.
One of the sources added that over 10 soldiers were killed during the attack.
However, the Nigerian Army is yet to confirm the attack or acknowledge own casualties.
The source who spoke to SaharaReporters said the six soldiers were dismissed for withdrawing from the war front
Those affected are 19NA/78/0690 PTE OLANIYI EMMANUEL, 20NA/79/3745 PTE MASA’UDU ADAMU, 22NA/82/5192 PTE ABDUL AZEE SALEH, 22NA/82/ 1721 PTE MOHAMMED MOHAMMED, 22NA/82/1191 PTE ADAH TOYE and 22NA/82/1909 PTE HASSAN ABUBAKAR.
The source, however, described the punishment meted out on his colleagues as not right, arguing that they left the battlefield after running out of ammunition during the fight with the terrorists.
According to the source, sufficient arms and ammunition were not provided for them to fight Boko Haram terrorists; therefore, they soon ran out of ammunition.
Nigerian soldiers on the battle field often complain about being under equipped to face Boko Haram insurgents.
He also blamed the death of those killed on poor firepower and inadequate equipment to combat the insurgents.
“Boko Haram successfully infiltrated into our location during the month and caused KIA and WIA. So some of our colleagues fled during the battle and were all charged and dismissed for not retaliating,” he added.