Nyako’s Alleged Boko Haram Attack, An April Fool-Army

The Nigerian Army Friday refuted reports that Governor Murtala Nyako of
Adamawa State was attacked by terrorists and that more terrorists have
been arrested while 13 of them died following a raid on their make-shift
camp sited between Borno and Adamawa states.
The army in a statement signed by Major General Chris Olukolade,
Director Defence Information, said that some of those who escaped from
earlier raid have also been picked up in Maiduguri and environs.
Meanwhile, calm has returned to Shuwa after the pandemonium generated by
the panic in the community this morning when people sighted the convoy of
troops going after terrorists and mistook it for another round of attack.
The statement said the alleged attack on the convoy of Governor Nyako as
presented in a breaking news report were not true. The truth is that
the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako visited Michika and Shuwa
areas of the State to sympathise with the communities that were attacked
by terrorists recently. While returning, the convoy came across a
noticeable pandemonium which resulted from the alarm raised by some people
who had mistaken a convoy movement of troops on patrol at Kirchinga
village, for another impending attack by terrorists. In the ensuing
stampede and confusion, people scampered into the bush ostensibly to
escape from those mistaken for terrorists.
The incident which was presented as a “Breaking News” and scrolled on TV
is therefore not a true reflection of what actually happened. The report
is capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heightening tension.
The military authorities therefore find it necessary to put the records
straight and call on residents to go about their normal activities while
remaining vigilant. The operations in the North East are being
consolidated and every effort is made to stop the terrorists from
continuing their atrocities in that part of the country.