Defence Headquarters speaks on Nigerian soldiers ‘running’ away from Boko Haram

Defence Headquarters has insisted that a squad of Nigerian soldiers that engaged Boko Haram fighters this weekend did not flee from the insurgents.

The DHQ, however, said the troop s only adopted what he described as “a tactical withdrawal that later paid off.”

IDOMA VOICE reports that the dreaded group struck a camp of Nigerian soldiers in Marte, Borno, on Saturday in an attempt to overrun the base, Defence spokesman, Big. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko said in a statement.

The soldiers reportedly retreated from the base and jihadists took it over for the most part of Saturday.

Making clarifications on the troops’ action, But Mr. Onyeuko, said it was untrue that the crucial military outpost was taken over. Instead, Nigerian soldiers deliberately implemented a strategy that tricked the insurgents into a false sense of early successes.

“The troops based on reliable information about the attack, positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to fierce battle,” Mr. Onyeuko said.