The Nigerian Army has declared 22 soldiers wanted for running from Boko Haram during an attack on September 29 at Gubio, a community in Borno State now partly controlled by insurgents.
Though eyewitnesses said 18 soldiers were killed during the attack on a military outpost in the community, the Nigerian army failed to confirm the attack or acknowledge the casualties recorded on its side.
Senior military officers who carried out an investigation to establish the level of resistance or damage from troops during the attack, found that 22 soldiers were unavailable. It is still not clear if the soldiers were missing in action or captured by Boko Haram, they were however declared as deserters and are bound to face dire consequences if found.
A list of soldiers declared wanted and obtained by Premium Times includes: U.A. Nagogo, a major; Mallam Turaki, a staff sergeant; Benjamin Afolabi, sergeant, Christian Nwachukwu, sergeant; Patrick Kosin, sergeant; Awuwa Orin, sergeant; Ibrahim Amodu, sergeant; Nasiru Umar, sergeant; Bello Suleiman, sergeant; Josiah Seth, sergeant and Muazu Nura, sergeant.
Ayodeji Ogunsuji, corporal; Michael Friday, corporal; Wakili Saul, corporal; Akyen Zamani, corporal; Yahaya Abubakar-Doia, lance corporal; Isikuru Venture, lance corporal; Aminu Isiaku, lance corporal; Usman Suleiman, lance corporal; Maigari Markus, lance corporal; Edward Ofem, lance corporal and Adams Shehu, lance corporal, were also declared wanted.
The feeling soldiers are to be arrested if found and returned in military escort to face disciplinary action. This follows up Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai's warning of punishing soldiers that abandon positions during a Boko Haram attack.
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