Tears, anguish as Army recovers bodies of dead soldiers in terror attack
Tears and anguish enveloped Nigerian Army headquarters after dead bodies all the soldiers killed during the terrorists attack on three military bases in Metele, Borno State were recoevered.
The army, who stated this in its Twitter handle, following reports that the bodies of the slain soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force are yet to be evacuated said, a special search team set up to recover the bodies of the gallant troops had recovered their bodies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, immediately after the attack, reinforcement was sent to the location. Thereafter, a special search and rescue team led by a senior military officer was constituted and equally dispatched.
“The team worked tirelessly, searching all the nooks and crannies of the general area and have evacuated all the gallant troops that paid the supreme price in defence of their fatherland”, it stated.
It would be recalled that wo weeks ago, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram insurgents, killed many of soldiers in Metele, a remote village near the border with the Niger Republic.
Army, however regretted that some media houses “have discarded the ethics of their noble profession through the hasty publication of unverified information”.
It, however, urged media practitioners to ensure correct and balanced reportage, especially when reporting issues regarding military operations.
“This is because publishing false, sensational news is inimical to national security and could also cause panic, bitterness and disunity among the citizenry”, the army said.
Below is another release by the Army:
PRESS RELEASE ON SAHARA REPORTERS’ SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NIGERIAN ARMY
1. The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has once again been drawn to another false publication by an online newspaper (Sahara Reporters), alleging that the bodies of our gallant soldiers and members of Civilian Joint Task Force who lost their lives in the unfortunate Metele Attack are yet to be evacuated.
2. The general public is to please note that the information is despicably false and a calculated attempt to spread fake news aimed at discrediting and undermining the NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles. For the avoidance of doubt, immediately after the attack, reinforcement was sent to the location. Thereafter, a special search and rescue team led by a senior military officer was constituted and equally dispatched. The team worked tirelessly, searching all the nooks and crannies of the general area and have evacuated all the gallant troops that paid the supreme price in defence of their fatherland.
3. It is sad to note that in a bid to be seen as first to break news, some media houses have discarded the ethics of their noble profession through the hasty publication of unverified information. The NA would once again reiterate the need for correct and balanced reportage especially when reporting issues regarding military operations. Furthermore, all print and electronic (online) newspapers as well as social media forums and blogs are advised to double check their information before publishing. This is because publishing false, sensational news is inimical to national security and could also cause panic, bitterness and disunity among the citizenry.
4. You are please requested to note this and disseminate same using your various media channels. Thank you
