Nigerian Army declares 104 soldiers deserters after terror attack

The Nigerian Army has declared 104 soldiers as deserters after they disappeared with their service rifles following a deadly terror attack on their base in Borno State. The soldiers were attached to the 162 Amphibious Battalion along the Mandara–Buratai Road.

Insurgents, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launched an overnight attack on the soldiers' base on June 5. Sources indicate the terrorists exploited heavy rainfall and poor visibility to carry out the assault, which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

An army document revealed that the 104 soldiers allegedly absconded from their duty post with their personal weapons after the attack. The military signal, signed by Lieutenant FI Ndubuisi, officially declared the soldiers, including Staff Sergeant Idris Mohammed, as deserters for having "absconded from their place of deployment to an unknown destination." Military formations across the country have been notified to apprehend the missing personnel. Their bank accounts have also been frozen pending their arrest.

The group of declared deserters includes one staff sergeant, three sergeants, seven corporals, 38 lance corporals, and 55 privates. As of the report's publication, the army had not released an official public statement, and Army spokesperson Colonel Appolonia Anele was unavailable for comment.

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In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully affirm to you that said soldiers are yet to report back for duty and are hereby declared deserter(s).