Police Denies Soldiers Ambush In Kogi

Officials of the Kogi State Police Command on Tuesday reacted to the reported ambush of about 850 military troops on Sunday night in Kogi State by suspected Boko Haram members between Okene and Lokoja road.

The command spokesman, Aguebor Elvis, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, refuted the alleged attack which was reported by a national daily.

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It would be recalled that some military troops roportedly going to Kotangora in Niger State, for training before going to Borno and Adamawa states for reinforcement against the dreaded terrorists group, Boko Haram were ambushed by suspected sect members.

Elvis, who categorically stated that nothing of such happened in the state, said: “the command never heard of Boko Haram attacking military men, we are surprised that such a report came out without confirming from us. It was just a distraction”

The command’s spokesman further revealed that the state Commissioner of Police, Paul Nwafor, has directed that a letter should be sent to the Inspector General of Police, in Abuja, to let him know that the purported attack was bore out of the “imagination of the writer, aimed at creating distraction in order to cause confusion in the state.”

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Elvis said a statement would soon be released to inform members of the public on the true nature of the matter.

It would be recalled that on Monday, Punch reported that at least 850 soldiers attached to the 322 Artillery Battalion, and the Fourth Brigade Garrison, Ekeunwa, Benin City, the Edo State capital were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorist group between Okene and Lokoja, Kogi State.

Meanwhile, in a recent development following a fierce battle with soldiers of 7 Division, over 200 members of the Boko Haram sect who were on a revenge mission to Konduga local government area of Borno State were reportedly killed. The Nigerian military had  also on September 12, 2014, reportedly killed over 150 insurgents, who attempted to invade Kondugatown.