Nigeria's "fleeing" 480 soldiers return from Cameroon

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that the 480 Nigerian soldiers who “fled to Cameroon” or “who tactically crossed over to Cameroon” while fighting Boko Haram, have all returned to Nigeria.

According to the statement on the DHQ twitter account, the troops who returned from Cameroon were   addressed by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj-Gen Zaruwa as they embark on another mission in the Counter Terrorism campaign.

There had been conflicting reports as to how the soldiers found themselves in Cameroon.

Initial report was that the soldiers fled across the border in an act of defection since they were overpowered by Boko Haram. DHQ however denied the claim, saying that the soldiers were pursuing the terrorists and must have strayed into the neighbouring country. It said the act of disarming the soldiers by Cameroon forces was a tactical move to avoid a diplomatic row between the two nations.