104 Soldiers Flee With Weapons After ISWAP Attacks In Borno

… Army Declares Them Deserters

The Nigerian Army has declared 104 soldiers deserters after they allegedly abandoned their deployment following an attack by fighters of the terrorist group ISWAP in Borno State and allegedly fled with their personal weapons.

The development comes weeks after terrorists attacked the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on June 5, killing five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The insurgents launched the attack at about 3:00 a.m., attempting to breach parts of the Forward Operating Base under the cover of adverse weather conditions.

However, an internal military signal obtained by THE WHISTLER on Tuesday showed that the affected personnel were serving with the 162 Amphibious Battalion, headquartered at Mandaragirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The document, referenced 162 AMPH BN/G1/300/02 and dated June 13, 2026, stated that the soldiers absconded from their duty post on June 5, 2026, after what it described as a “BHT/ISWAP attack on own location.”

The signal, signed by Lt. P.I. Ndubuisi for the Commanding Officer, reads:”The above named soldier and 103 others absconded from their place of deployment to an unknown destination on 5 Jun 26 with their personal weapons after the BHT/ISWAP attack on own loc.

“In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully affirm to you that said soldiers are yet to report back for duty and are hereby declared deserter Wef date,” it stated.

The internal communication was sent to the Headquarters, 25 Brigade for action, while Headquarters Sector 2 (North-East) was copied for information.

The 104 soldiers declared deserters are: Staff Sergeant Idris Mohammed
Sergeants Omotoyinbo Samuel, Oyinbo John, Folorunsho Michael
Corporals Onumaru Felix, Adenekan Amos, Basiru Garba, Fatoki Olusegun, Abu Mohammed, Emmanuel Moses, Aminu Bello.

There is also Lance Corporals Abdullahi Kamalu, Adeniyi Kehinde, Oko Michael, Modey Ernest, Usman Abdulazeez, Hassan Adamu, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Onengiye Gabriel, Hassan Desmond, Ator Mubarak, Ibrahim Ubale, Rufai Abdullahi, Musa Sunday, Abayomi Clement, Mathias Idris, Buhari Muktar, Bulama Mukaila, Isah Jamilu, Aliyu Abdullahi, Yusuf Saidu, Abdullahi Garba, Mubarak Aliyu, Awa Micheal, Aliyu Musa, Onikoyi Lawal, Sambo Azeez, Olorundare Abdulrahman, Shuaibu Ibrahim, Muhammed Adamu, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, Samuel Alexander, Nazeem Mahmud, Ahmed Shuaibu, Tamini James, Abdulrazaq Salisu, Tijani Adamu, Gambo Rabiu.

The document also listed Privates Saliu Suleiman, Musa Lucky, Mustapha Muhammed, Ayuba Rimanshong, Tijjani Mohammed, Jibrin Danladi, Edwin Friday, Abdullahi Tanko, Muhammed Lawan, John Samaila, Adebayo Monday, Silas Gibson, Aliyu Mamman, Bright Precious, Alkasim Maharaz, James Naphtali, Umar Taufeeq, Buhari Sani, Isaac Oleka, Ibrahim Mathew, Abubakar Idris, Yahaya Yusuf, Ibrahim Mohammed, Sabiu Muktar, Babangida John, Danjuma Ali, Mas’ud Ismail, Ahmed Abubakar, Sulaiman Musa, Saad Auwal, Abubakar Yusuf, Adamu Mohammed, Umar Sulaiman, Mahmud Saifullahi, Egbe Gideon, Abdulrahman Aliyu, as some of those that fleed.

It also added Yarima Atiku, Idris Mustapha, Garzali Suleiman, Aliyu Abdullahamed, David Wisdom, Nikodemon Victor, Kazeem Lukman, Pinon Yunana, Haladu Isah, Abubakar Abdullahi, Friday Justine, Selim Lawan, Azaka Samuel, Zakari Aminu, Sufianu Bello, Abba Miko, Lawal Mubarak and Isiya Musa.

The military signal alleged that all 104 soldiers left with their personal weapons, a development that could pose serious security concerns if confirmed.

However, THE WHISTLER contacted the Nigerian Army’s Acting Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col Appolonia Anele, following its findings, but messages and calls sent via WhatsApp received no response.