480 soldiers ‘back from Cameroon in high spirits’

The 480 Nigerian soldiers who reportedly fled to Cameroon during a fierce battle with the Boko Haram insurgents at Gamborou Ngala, a border community between Nigeria and Cameroon, are now back in the country.

The BBC had reported that the soldiers were overpowered, quoting Cameroon’s army spokesman as saying the officers were being accommodated in some schools.

But the military dismissed the report, maintaining that the troops were “charging through the borders in a tactical manoeuvre”.

However, the defence headquarters issued a statement on Tuesday, announcing the arrival of the soldiers.

“Troops who returned from Cameroon were today addressed by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Zaruwa as they embarked on another mission in the Counter Terrorism campaign,” read the statement.

“All the soldiers are in high spirits with all their weapons and equipment intact.”

Meanwhile, Boko Haram attempted to blow up a bridge in Gamborou Ngala, on Tuesday, while the residents and soldiers flee, according to AFP.

The bridge serves as a link between Nigeria and Cameroon.

AFP said it had been informed by a police officer that Cameroonian troops who initially engaged the insurgents in a fight had to withdraw because they were outnumbered.