South African troops as well as other foreign soldiers have joined in
Nigeria's offensive against Boko Haram insurgents in the nation's
north east region, engaging in ground combat and flying combat air
sorties.
According to VOA, the Federal Government explained that the foreign
military personnel were only advisers accompanying military equipment
purchased from South Africa, Russia and Ukraine.
Activities of the extremist group seeking to impose Islamic rule in
the region have caused the death of several thousands and displaced
over 1 million people in northern Nigeria.
"One soldier, who is living alongside the foreign personnel in a
barracks in the city of Maiduguri, identified the foreigners as South
Africans, Ukrainians and others. He said they were flying aircraft
from the Maiduguri airport."
The corporal, who was also based in the barracks in Maiduguri, said
South African pilots had been flying combat missions using Nigerian
jets, surveillance planes and helicopters, along with jets he said
appeared to be South African.
"All the aerial attacks are being done by the white soldiers using
Nigerian and hired military aircraft," he said.
Another officer, who served as a top aide to the Commander of a
Brigade in Borno state, told VOA there were between 100 and 150
foreign soldiers, mainly South African, working out of Maiduguri and
they were flying fighter jets daily, out of the Maiduguri airport.
--ChannelsTV
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