Some of the scores of soldiers, who went missing following the Boko
Haram and Islamic State fighters’ attacks on the army bases in Metele
and Baga, Borno State, in November 2018, have yet to be rescued by the
military, after over six months.
This was confirmed by the
Multi-National Joint Task Force on Sunday, which explained that its
operation, Yancin Takfi, “is progressing steadily and is committed to
rescuing all personnel who were declared missing in action.”
This is just as some soldiers serving in the North-East spoke on
condition of anonymity that their Ration Cash Allowance could no longer
meet the economic realities and was “grossly inadequate” for the hazards
they faced daily. The troops currently receive N30,000 monthly.
The military base in Metele, northern Borno, belonging to the 157
Battalion, had been attacked by the Islamic State West African Province
fighters in November 2018, with the army confirming the death of 23
soldiers.
While 37 soldiers were also injured, scores of others
were missing in action during the attack, with concerns that they were
abducted by the insurgents and could be used as informants.
The terrorists had also on December 28, 2018, attacked Baga, which is
the headquarters of the MNJTF, carting away ammunition and also
abducting a yet-to-be-confirmed number of soldiers.
The embarrassing nature of attacks on the MNJTF headquarters in Baga
had forced the Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, the
Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, and the Chief of the Air
Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, to relocate to the area two days
after for self-assessment.
On Sunday, the MNJTF Chief of Military Information, Col Timothy
Antigha, confirmed that the military was still searching for some
missing soldiers in the Metele and Baga attacks.
Military
sources told our correspondent on Sunday that despite the soldiers
missing over six months, they would not be categorised as dead, unless
their corpses were found.
Antigha, in a release, said, “The
MNJTF had referenced a couple of ISWAP attacks on troops’ locations in
Metele and Baga between December 2018 and January 2019. The MNJTF had
made it known that there were personnel casualties and others missing in
action.
“Following ISWAP attack on troops’ locations in Baga
and surrounding localities between December 2018 and January 2019, the
MNJTF launched Operation Yancin Tafki to rescue missing personnel and
recover lost equipment. The operation, which is progressing steadily, is
committed to rescuing all MNJTF personnel who were declared missing in
action.
“The MNJTF therefore wishes to assure the good people
of the Lake Chad region that the force will never leave any personnel
behind, as the operation continues. It is essential to state that
contrary to the dubious claims, ISWAP’s influence has been curtailed
considerably due to relentless pursuits by the MNJTF and national
forces.”
Meanwhile, one of the troops in Borno, said, “Soldiers
in the frontline are not finding it easy. The allowances given to us
are very poor. We expect that if the insurgency war started in 2014, by
now, there should be increment in allowances so as to boost our morale.
But what do we get? What do our families gain if we die?
“Boko
Haram strikes every moment and they can still strike our bases. If any
soldier dies, who takes care of his family? Who sends his children to
school? I believe the allowances given to us should be reviewed.”
The acting Director, Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, could
not be reached for comment on Sunday as his line rang out. A text
message sent to his line had also yet to be replied to as of press time.
Soldiers serving in Boko Haram areas lament poor allowances
