ABUJA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian Army on Monday refuted media reports that scores of troops were missing following an ambush by terror group Boko Haram at the weekend.
Nigerian Army spokesman Texas Chukwu dismissed the reports as "untrue," saying no soldier or officer was missing in the ambush which, according to local and foreign media, occurred in Bama area of the northeastern state of Borno last Saturday.
"The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bogged down.
"The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops' operational vehicles but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force," Chukwu said.
On Sunday, the official News Agency of Nigeria, citing some military sources and local residents, reported that at least 23 soldiers were missing following an ambush in Bama.
The soldiers were traveling in at least eight trucks when Boko Haram fighters ambushed their convoy early Saturday at Boboshe village in Bama area of the state, the state-owned news agency reported.
