‘Nigerian soldiers are afraid of terrorists,’ Chadian troops say

Chadian troops who recaptured Damasak Town in Borno State from Boko Haram have said that Nigerian soldiers are afraid to reclaim the town.

However, despite several calls for the Nigerian military to retake possession of the town, no soldiers have showed up.

“We asked them to come, to receive this town from us, but they have not come,” Second Lt. Mohammed Hassan said, according to the New York Times.

“We fought on the night of the 14th, and the last attack was on the 15. As for the Nigerians, “we called them on the 16th” — after the fight for Damasak had ended — “and told them to come; they didn’t believe we were here. It is because they are afraid,” Hassan added.

“The Nigerian Army has not succeeded in facing up to Boko Haram. The occupation of these towns, this is up to Nigeria. My fondest wish is that they assume their responsibilities… We are ready to disengage, right away,” Chad’s foreign minister, Moussa Faki Mahamat said in confirmation.

“It is up to them to hold the town, not us. Our role is offensive. Our mission is to chase the terrorists. But they are afraid,” Lieutenant Hassan repeated.

Chad has spearheaded the recovery of many towns from Boko Haram after the multinational force, which also consists of troops from Niger and Cameroon, was formed.