Soldiers Feared Killed As Boko Haram Captures Military Tank in Gwoza

By Garba Mohammad
Local and Security sources have confirmed that some units of the Nigerian Army 213 battalion, Operation Task Force Mike and 234 battalion,based in Mubi,Adamawa state which attempted to retake Gwoza Township from Islamist militant Boko Haram, beat a hasty retreat after a fierce gun battle with the insurgents.
The defeat of Nigerian soldiers puts Gwoza town firmly in the hands of Boko Haram militants three days after they first invaded the town, killing over 100 civilians and several soldiers.
‘’The soldiers were reported to have been led into the battle by Lieutenant Bayedi Martins and Lt. Colonel Agu of the 234 Battalion, formerly Special Operations Battalion (SOB), but they were given the surprise of their lives when they ran into stiff resistance from the militants as they advanced on Gwoza from the Madagali,’’ said security source that pleaded anonymity, on Saturday.
‘’The soldiers retreated but the militants set off in hot pursuit, chased them and snatched one of their tanks as well as the driver of the tank. They then called the soldier’s wife and informed her that her husband was in captivity,’’ said a top security brass in Yola,Adamawa state capital.
‘’We are expecting the corpses of about five gallant soldiers that were killed during the encountered,to arrive here today Saturday,’’ the source added.
Local Sources in Madagali said that following the encounter, some Hilux pick up vans were used to bring back to Mubi in Adamawa State several wounded and dead soldiers
It is the second time in 24 hours that Nigerians soldiers were defeated by Boko Haram in an attempt to retake Gwoza. The army had recently retaken Damboa, over two weeks after Boko Haram overran the town and planted its flag.
Army sources in Abuja said that following the attack, they have yet to find Lt. Col Agu. They further confirmed that about three military alpha jets have been deployed to the area to assist in the rescue of soldiers who might be trapped in mountains surrounding Gwoza.
But all efforts by our correspondent to reach Defence Spokesman , Major General Chris Olukolade proved abortive as his phones were switched off .