'No soldiers are missing' - Army Chief claims

The Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has dismissed viral media reports that about 105 Nigerian soldiers went missing  in the North East following battle with the Boko Haram insurgents.

Multiple reports said the soldiers, who were attached to the 157 Battalion, disappeared after fierce gun-fight in Gudunbali, Borno State on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

Buratai however denied the claims, saying the soldiers had since returned to their Battalions.

“It is not true that our soldiers are missing. The soldiers went on a mission for the Nigerian nation and they have since returned and joined their Battalions”, the Army Chief told Vanguard.

However, a conflicting statement by the army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, earlier confirmed the disappearance of some Nigerian soldiers.

READ: 105 soldiers reportedly missing after fight with terrorists

He told Premium Times: "I want to confirm the incidence at Gudunbali… the unit attacked is within the area of responsibility of the MNJTF and troops are now organising to counter the attack,"

Although he did not confirm the number of the missing soldiers.