The Nigerian military has come under scathing criticisms over its claims that it killed several members of Boko Haram fighters during the latest attacks carried out by the group on Garkida in Adamawa state.
Condemnation had trailed the claims made by the Nigerian military that it killed several members of militant Boko Haram sect.
Angry residents, in the ancient town, who recount the devastation wrought on the town have disputed the claims made by the military and urged the military to come forward with proof.
Although many residents in Garkida said two soldiers lost their lives in the attacks but the Army through the Public Relations Officer, 23rd Armoured Brigade, Major Haruna Sani, said only on soldier, “paid the supreme sacrifice while another soldier was wounded in action.”
Sani gave credits to the gallant troops of 232 Battalion of 23 Armoured Brigade under Operation Lafiya Dole, deployed to Garkida for thwarting the planned attacks by criminal Boko Haram elements on the town.
He said, ” The terrorists besieged the town in about seven Gun Trucks and a number of motorcycles setting some buildings ablaze and causing unrest within the community. Instinctively, the gallant troops mobilized and intercepted the criminals’ advance and engaged the marauding criminals unleashing high volume of fire leading to the elimination of several of the criminals while others withdrew in disarray, many of them with gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their withdrawal route.
Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the Supreme price while another soldier was wounded in action. The wounded in action soldier has since been evacuated to a military medical facility and is positively responding to treatment.“
However, a resident Esther Garnvwa, a worshipper with EYN, one of the churches burnt down in the attacks, instead accused the military of taking flight while the insurgents operated unimpeded for several hours during last Friday night attacks.
They carted foods and drugs from stalls and chemists respectively, afterwards putting them on fire.
Esther lamenting the attacks which left several houses touched including that of Brigadier General Paul Tarfa, Chairman of the North East Development Commission as well as the police barracks and a military camp, burnt down in the attacks, said from the way the attackers operated it appears they did not plan to leave behind a trail of civilian deaths.
She said, ” No single insurgents were killed in Garkida. The insurgents also deliberately didn’t want to kill civilians, only three persons including a girl sustained bullets wounds. Others got injured because they were frightened into running helter-skelter.
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But the Army wants us to promote their lies that they repelled the attackers and eliminated several of the insurgents. Whereas they fled leaving the people unprotected while the insurgents had a field day.”
Angry residents also queried the delay by security agencies in thwarting the terrorists who operated until 3 am of Saturday before leaving, saying “Where are the air Force if the ground troops are overwhelmed.“
Some residents who spoke in the aftermath of the attacks, sadly lamented the massive exodus out of the town because of rumours that the insurgents had left a message of their return.
