By Mustapha Buhari, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army said troops deployed for search and rescue mission has recovered additional 21 corpses of the victims of last Tuesday’s deadly ambush on oil exploration team in Borno state.
The army therefore admitted that there was an error in the earlier statement issued, which indicated that all the NNPC officials involved in the incident were rescued.
In a statement by the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Director, Sani Usman, the army apologized for the error, saying it was not deliberate.
“The incident of 25th July 2017 where some Boko Haram Terrorists ambushed our troops including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) escorting some staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on oil exploration in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state is unfortunate and highly regrettable”.
“Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate”, the statement said.
According to Mr Usman, a brigadier-general, so far the additional bodies recovered by the search and rescue team included five soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and five members of the exploration team.
He noted that contrary to reports, six members of the exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.
“The Nigerian Army in this present dispensation is reputed for timely dissemination of information on activities of our troops in all theatre of operations. We have strived to keep the public informed on our activities with no intention of distorting any fact. Our troops have doubled efforts in the pursuit of the Boko Haram terrorists while search and rescue is still on-going to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians”, the statement said.
The Army spokesman also revealed that the team recovered assorted arms and ammunition as well as vehicles of the troops taken away by the attackers.
“On the other hand, our pursuit team also recovered tw of our own Gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents. In addition, the team also made the following recoveries: four Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, four Rocket Propelled Grenade chargers, six AK-47 rifles, one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, a Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 4 Dane Guns, 8 Tyres and two Tyre Rims”.
“Other items recovered included 1 Pumping Machine, 2 Tyre Jacks, 1 Super Battery, 5 Reflective Jackets, 3 Toyota Hilux, 4 Jerry cans filled with PMS, 1 Motorola Radio, 1 Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, 2 Shovels and 3 Food Coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, 2 Bows and 13 Arrows, 2 LLG Bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools”.
“The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Search and rescue efforts are on-going. We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation”, the statement further added.
“What the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are doing are pure criminal activities of kidnapping to gain funds. This has been noted and will be jointly addressed in conjunction with other Security Services.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in the fight against terrorism and would not relent in its effort to safe guard lives of citizens, properties and the territorial integrity of the country,” he added.
