Boko Haram Shoots Nigerian Army Brigade Commander

Boko Haram militants have shot and injured the acting Brigade commander of 23rd Brigade in Yola.

Colonel Popoola was shot in the shoulder three days ago in the thick of a battle to regain control of Hong and Gombi in Adamawa state from the Islamist militant sect. An army source in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the senior army officer has been evacuated to UCH Ibadan where he is expected to receive better and further treatment in the coming days.

Several soldiers were reported to have died in the battle. The military source also told SaharaReporters that at least 300 Boko Haram militants have died in the battle.

Colonel Popoola reportedly led a new crop of soldiers drafted from Jos into battle against the insurgents in a renewed battle to retake several towns from Boko Haram. The troop was able to recover two armored tanks from the militants after the battle was over.

The military claimed to have regained control of towns today in a short tweet.

 SaharaReporters could not independently verify the claim.

Meanwhile, four commanders have been arrested for deserting their troops during the Monday fight that earned Colonel Popoola a bullet to his shoulder. 

The arrested soldiers include one Lieutenant Mohammed, the QRG commander of 234 battalion; 2nd Lieutenant UC Uche, Platoon commander of Bravo Company of the 234 battalion; Captain Lawal; and Lieutenant Buraji who is Mararaba platoon commander.

The four and one other Captain Lawan were led away in handcuffs yesterday and locked up inside the military police guardroom at the 23rd Brigade in Yola Adamawa state.