Military ignored intelligence before deadly B/Haram attack — SSS, Police

Security operatives have said Nigerian soldiers based in Magumeri village of Borno State received early warning about a deadly Boko Haram attack in the community last Wednesday.

A number of soldiers and at least two police personnel died in the attack.

In separate testimonies, the State Security Service (SSS), the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Nigeria Police, as well as the Civilian-JTF in the town, said the military did not do enough to avert the attack.

The revelations were made at a stakeholders meeting Tuesday, convened by Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, to investigate the allegation by the Army that residents of Magumeri connived with insurgents to attack troops.

Shettima said he was displeased by the comments credited to the spokesman of the Army, Sani Usman, that the military obtained credible intelligence suggesting that the attack was made possible because residents cooperated with Boko Haram.

The governor, who expressed anger with leaders of Magumeri, and accused them of hurting civilianmilitary relations with their actions, was shocked midway into the meeting when agents of other security outfits gave testimonies that contradicted the claims made by the military.

A well-known elder and community leader of Magumeri also said the Nigerian military was unfair in accusing residents of connivance with the Boko Haram, that Magumeri was not attacked in recent times because he led other residents in helping the security operatives with information, as he and some youths kept track of Boko Haram movement and informed all security agencies accordingly.

Contacted for comments, the spokesman for the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said the Army had its facts and stood by it, but explained, “Our position on Magumeri is not an indictment on the whole society but those who have been conniving with terrorists know themselves.”