Nigerian army denies killing civilians food truck attack

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Nigerian Army Denies Killing Civilians in Food Truck Attack

The Nigerian Army has denied allegations that its troops killed civilians in a food truck attack in the northeastern state of Borno. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when a food truck was attacked by suspected Boko Haram militants, leading to the deaths of several people.

According to eyewitnesses, the Nigerian Army responded to the attack by opening fire on the food truck, killing several civilians who were trying to flee the scene. However, the army has denied these allegations, stating that its troops only responded to the attack after they were ambushed by the militants.

In a statement, the Nigerian Army said that its troops were on patrol in the area when they were attacked by the militants, who were using the food truck as a cover. The army claimed that its troops only returned fire after they were attacked, and that they did not intentionally target civilians.

The army also accused the militants of using civilians as human shields, and said that its troops were forced to take action to protect themselves and the local population.

The incident has sparked outrage in the region, with many calling for an investigation into the allegations of civilian casualties. The Nigerian government has also promised to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.

Background

Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, has been responsible for numerous attacks in northeastern Nigeria, including the kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in 2014. The group has also been accused of using civilians as human shields and targeting civilians in its attacks.

The Nigerian Army has been criticized in the past for its handling of the conflict, with allegations of human rights abuses and civilian casualties. The army has also been accused of using excessive force in its responses to militant attacks.

Conclusion

The Nigerian Army's denial of allegations that its troops killed civilians in a food truck attack has sparked controversy in the region. While the army claims that its troops only responded to the attack after being ambushed by militants, eyewitnesses have alleged that the army opened fire on the food truck, killing several civilians. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Nigerian government in its efforts to combat Boko Haram and protect civilians in the region.