Nigerian soldiers found in Cmr are not defectors - Nigeria

The Nigeria Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described as inappropriate and misleading, tagging of Nigerian soldiers who while in pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists found themselves in Cameroon, as defectors.

According to the statement in the defence website, the Nigerian troops that were found in Cameroon was as a result of a sustained battle between the troops and the terrorists around the borders with Cameroon which saw the Nigerian troops charging through the borders in a tactical maneuver.

"Eventually they found themselves on Cameroonian soil. Being allies the normal protocol of managing such incident demanded that the troops submit their weapons in order to assure the friendly country that they were not on a hostile mission", the authorities explained.

According to the DHQ, the issues have been sorted out following necessary discussions between Nigerian and Cameroonian military authorities.

Subsequently, it added, the troops are on their way back to join their unit in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the report revealed that troops have been repelling a group of terrorists who are trying to enter the country through Gamborou Ngala.