No fewer than an estimated 2,000 insurgents were killed in a combined operation by Special Forces and the men of the Air Force on Friday and Saturday in the volatile Sambisa Forest of Borno State, which has become a prominent hideout of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
But what would have been a victory for the Special Forces was marred by an operational misunderstanding on the ground between the troops and the officers in the Air Force Alpha Jet.
Investigations revealed that 20 soldiers are still missing as a result of the operational misunderstanding...
It was learnt that mid-way into the operation, the Air Force Alpha Jet radioed the ground forces who had advanced in three companies, that they should withdraw because it was running out of bombs.
It was learnt that while the second and the third battalions withdrew, the first company of soldiers did not get the critical operational order. The situation was said to have put the soldiers at a numerical disadvantage in the encounter with the insurgents, Punch reported.
It was gathered that the soldiers fought their way through in desperation until they got to Bama Barracks.
Investigation revealed that a headcount among the soldiers revealed that 20 of them were missing. The military would not declare a soldier dead unless the corpse is recovered.
The soldiers became bitter because they felt they were not given the operational information that could have prevented the ugly occurrence. Investigations further revealed that the angry soldiers became unruly and refused to take further orders from their superiors.
It was gathered that the soldiers, who came from 103 Battalion, Okuname under 81 Division Enugu, only take instructions from their commanding officer. The commanders are still struggling to resolve the ugly episode.
We hope issues like this wont increase bad blood in the soldiers and further give Boko Haram an advantage.
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