Several soldiers and few officers reportedly ‘went missing’ on Friday after insurgents overwhelmed 153 Infantry Battalion and the 22 Armored Brigade, Marte, Borno State in a surprise attack.
Both army formations were in one base when the insurgents launched an assault on them. Troops were said to have withdrawn from their positions when they were overpowered.
“Troops tried very hard and almost suppressed the offensive but the insurgents sent reinforcements. Troops could not withstand the superior firepower of the insurgents and had to abandon their positions,” a military source confirmed on Saturday.
Most of the soldiers and officers sought refuge in Dikwa town which had army base while many others have not been accounted for, the source added.
The insurgents were said to have looted valuables including large caliber guns before setting the army installations ablaze.
The Brigade Commander and the Commanding Officer of the battalion were among the troops that retreated to Dikwa where the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, was supposed to meet with them on Saturday, the source stated.
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