Some of the 480 Runaway Soldiers Return From Cameroon in Tattered Uniforms

Some of the Nigerian soldiers that ran off to Cameroon during a battle with the Boko Haram terrorists have returned. Residents in Adamawa have said they spotted the soldiers wearing gloomy expressions and tattered uniforms in Mubi town, early in the morning. 

Locals of Mubi town at the borders between Adamawa and Cameroun in the state revealed on Tuesday that they witnessed when the soldiers were returning from Cameroun in the wee hours,  stressing that most of the soldiers were in torn uniforms,  wearing shattered and gloomy faces.

However, the locals said they could not ascertain whether they were among the over 400  soldiers that were reported to have fled to Cameroun or not but they claimed that most of the troops who participated in Gwoza operations   were drawn from the special unit battalion based in Mubi.

“ We saw some of them purchasing second hand clothes at the Mubi main market to replace their torn uniforms.’’ a source said

He said the presence of the soldiers caused  serious panic    and confusion in area.” when we sighted the troops we were afraid thinking that it was the insurgents”.

A resident, Joseph Baba, said “we saw some of them purchasing second hand clothes at the Mubi main market”. ‘’Initially, we were afraid. People panicked when we sighted the troops. They arrived in the wee hours and people began to scamper for safety because no one knew their mission. I even thought they were Boko Haram disguised in military uniform as the insurgents usually do,” Mr. Baba said.

Nigerian soldiers on the battle field often complain about being under equipped to face Boko Haram insurgents. On Monday, the soldiers retreated and sought refuge in Cameroon in what the military authorities later described as tactical manoeuvre.


However, an hour after this report was published, the Defence Headquarters issued a brief statement confirming the return of the soldiers.

It said the “troops who returned from Cameroon were today addressed by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Zaruwa as they embarked on another mission in the Counter Terrorism campaign”.

All the soldiers are in high spirit with all their weapons and equipment intact, the statement added.

Premium Times

However, an hour after this report was published, the Defence Headquarters issued a brief statement confirming the return of the soldiers.
It said the “troops who returned from Cameroon were today addressed by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Zaruwa as they embarked on another mission in the Counter Terrorism campaign”.
All the soldiers are in high spirit with all their weapons and equipment intact, the statement added.
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