It took us 48 hours to ascertain soldiers didn't attack Zulum's convoy

The Defence Headquarters said it established within 48 hours that soldiers were not responsible for the attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche disclosed this in an appearance on a Channels Television programme, TheCable reported.

Recall that Zulum’s convoy was attacked on Wednesday, July 29 in Baga.

While Boko Haram insurgents were initially blamed for the attack, the governor later blamed it on sabotage and stated that soldiers were responsible.

However, Enenche said that a careful analysis of videos of the incident assured military authorities within 48 hours that Boko Haram insurgents were indeed behind it.

He added that Zulum’s allegation was not taken lightly but found not to be evidence-based at the conclusion of investigations.

“We investigated it immediately and the strategic level is cleared of that; operational level cleared of that, tactical level, cleared of that. Now from the basics, I was interested and I took a cursory look. We analysed the video, the scenery. Even from the gunshots, the way it all played out, you will discover from the sound of the gunshots, it is not the conventional weapons that we use.

“Now, it comes to doubt because, from our training, you could tell the sound of a gun. And of course, if you have operated with an enemy for some time, we call it enemy habit.

“From the analysis, it was purely that of the enemies in that area, the Boko Harams. From the tactics, and from the manoeuvres exhibited, it was theirs. And from the search conducted, it was theirs. So, our fears were allayed after 48 hours. So, I can confidently tell the public that it was not anything sabotage,” Enenche said.