Nigerians troops in Maiduguri, Borno State Wednesday frightened their Commanders as they fired shots into the air while being addressed. The ugly incident occurred at Maimalari Cantonment.
The troops were said to have been angered by the killing of four of them by the dreaded Islamist insurgents, Boko Haram during exchange of fire while on patrol around Chibok, where over 200 girls were abducted month ago.
Defence spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, however said the situation at the Cantonment is now calm while a Board of Inquiry is to be constituted to look into the incident.
Olukolade stated Wednesday evening, “The rumour making the rounds that Maiduguri is boiling as a result of insurrection by troops is unfounded.
“The fact of the matter is that troops on patrol around Chibok were ambushed by insurgents yesterday. Troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce combat and extricated themselves from the ambush killing several insurgents.
“Four soldiers however lost their lives during the ambush.
“On evacuation of the remains of the fallen troops, the General Officer Commanding addressed the troops who registered their anger about the incident by firing into the air.
“The situation has since been brought under control as there is calm in the cantonment and all normal operational activities are ongoing.
“Meanwhile, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of soldiers who fired some shots”.
