About 104 Nigerian soldiers deployed to fight Boko Haram terrorists have been missing for more than three weeks following an attack on their military base.
The soldiers were attached to the 162 Battalion, along the Mandara–Buratai Road in Borno State.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported on June 5 that terrorists had attacked a Nigerian Army base along the Mandara–Buratai Road, killing at least eight soldiers and injuring several others.
A source narrated how the attackers overran parts of the facility and carried out a brutal assault on the troops stationed there.
“At the 162 Battalion on Mandara–Buratai Road, eight soldiers were killed in action. They attacked us at 4 a.m. today, Friday, when it was raining,” the source said.
“They killed eight soldiers and beheaded them. Several others were injured during the attack.
SaharaReporters gathered that the terrorists stormed the military position in large numbers, catching the troops off guard amid the bad weather conditions.
Gory footage and images obtained from the scene showed the aftermath of the assault and confirmed the scale of the incident, though officials have yet to issue an official statement.
More than three weeks after the incident, another source said that more than 104 soldiers who were attached to the base before the attack remain unaccounted for.
“This is the list of soldiers who deserted from the 162 Battalion along Biu Road. Boko Haram slaughtered a Major and seven other soldiers. That was early this month. This is the list of soldiers who cannot be accounted for after the attack. We cannot say whether they are dead or ran away. The Army is trying to hide it from Nigerians,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has declared the affected soldiers wanted for desertion.
In a military signal exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, the soldiers were declared deserters and warned that they would face dire consequences if found.
Sources said the Army authorities have also frozen the bank accounts of the affected personnel.
“The above-named soldier and 103 others absconded from their place of deployment to an unknown destination on June 5, 2026, with their personal weapons after the BHT/ISWAP attack on our location. In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully affirm that the said soldiers have not reported back for duty and are hereby declared deserters with effect from that date. The deserter soldiers are listed in Annex A. Please acknowledge,” the signal signed by Lieutenant Ndubuisi read.
Various formations of the Army have also been notified to immediately apprehend and deliver any of the soldiers found within their areas of responsibility.
