How Nigerian soldiers got to Cameroon

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that some Nigerian troops found themselves in Cameroon due to sustained battle between them and terrorists around the borders with Cameroon.

This explanation is posted on its website www.defenceinfo.mil.ng, accessed by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

"Nigerian troops found themselves in Cameroon during fierce battle with terrorists. The battle saw the 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.

"Following necessary discussions between Nigerian and Cameroonian military authorities, the issues have been sorted out. Subsequently, the troops are on their way back to join their unit in Nigeria."

The DHQ said the reference to the incident as a defection was therefore not appropriate.

It said that considering the discussion between the two countries' military leadership and the series of contacts, the soldiers have confirmed that they were safe.

The website said the troops were repelling a group of terrorists trying to enter the country through Gamborou Ngala, near the border with Cameroon.

"A group of the terrorists who fizzled into the town are being pursued", the statement said.