ICC Note:
A group of Nigerian soldiers deployed to Borno State, home to the radical Islamic insurgency Boko Haram, is refusing to engage the Islamic militants until better equipped. For years, the Nigerian military has waged war against the thus-far superior guerrilla warfare of Boko Haram, and for years Nigerian soldiers have complained of sub-par equipment, poor and infrequent pay, and a lack of adequate training. Those complaints are now boiling to surface and erupting at a time when Boko Haram has made its largest gains yet.
08/19/2014 Nigeria (BBC) – A group of soldiers in north-eastern Nigeria is refusing to fight Islamist Boko Haram militants until they receive better equipment, one of the mutineers has told the BBC.
The soldier, who requested anonymity, said at least 40 of his colleagues would refuse orders to deploy.
A defence ministry spokesman said the incident was being investigated.
A state of emergency that was declared in three north-eastern states last year has failed to curb the insurgency.
Boko Haram is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria – and has stepped up its attacks after being pushed out of its bases in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, targeting towns and villages in deadly raids.
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