Nine Soldiers Killed In Adamawa State

Nine soldiers with the 23 Brigade in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, have been shot dead by insurgents. They were reportedly killed in an ambush in Madagali Local Government.

Details of the attack were sketchy but local officials and military sources claim that the insurgents attacked the soldiers in the border area as they made to foil another attack.

The Chairman of Madagali Local Government, Mr Maina Ularamu, confirmed the killings but could not ascertain the number of casualty.

The military authorities could not confirm the killings, also last night.

“The soldiers were going to repel a planned attack at Izhe border village when they were ambushed by the heavily armed insurgents.

“As I am talking to you, most villagers at the border areas have since fled to Madagali, the administrative headquarters for fear of possible attacks.

“We are calling on the government to station more troops with armoured tanks. These Boko Haram insurgents have more sophisticated weapons than the soldiers, Ularamu said.

The local government boss said the insurgents were well-armed with anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons mounted on their vehicles.

Brigade Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade,Yola, Brigadier General Rogers Nicholas, could also not be reached to comment.

According to a source, it was not an ambush but a gun battle that led to the soldierss’ death.

Hospital sources said the bodies of the soldiers were deposited at the hospital in Yola. “Nine bodies are deposited here in Federal Medical Centre, Yola,” said hospital sources.

On Tuesday night, Insurgents, believed to be Boko Haram members killed more than 50 people in an attack on Konduga in Borno State.

The attackers bore sophisticated weapons including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs).

Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are under a state of emergency.