The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that no fewer than three officers and 22 soldiers were killed during an ambush on troops by terrorists in Niger State.
The Director, Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba on Thursday told journalists that seven soldiers were also wounded during the ambush.
According to him, the deadly ambush led to the deployment of the military aircraft that crashed in the state, in which there were “14 previously killed soldiers, seven wounded soldiers, two pilots, and two crew members”.
He said, “Our troops entered into an ambush in the general of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state. The ambush led to a firefight which resulted in the death of three officers, and 22 soldiers while seven were wounded in action. As a result of this, there was a need for us to embark on a casualty operation whereby the Air Force helicopter was dispatched.
“While that process was on and inbound to Kaduna the helicopter crashed. In the crash were 14 of the previously killed in action personnel in that ambush, seven of the previously wounded in action personnel, two pilots of the helicopter and two crew members.”
The military said there would be consequences for the deadly attack on its troops by the terrorists.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday, August 14, reported that no fewer than 23 personnel of the Nigerian army had been killed following an ambush on a military convoy by gunmen suspected to be terrorists in Niger.
A military source told SaharaReporters that the incident occurred between Zangiwa and Kangara in the state.
According to the source, an army major and two lieutenants with one identified as Y. Alkali were among the victims.
“Nigerian army this morning lost about 23 soldiers, they were ambushed by bandits. One major, two lieutenants were among the victims. They set some of them ablaze inside the Hilux vehicle,” a soldier had told SaharaReporters.
But giving a breakdown of casualty figures, Buba urged Nigerians to be wary of propaganda by terrorists and remain patriotic.
Buba spoke Thursday at the biweekly briefing of the Defence Media Operations.
On the cause of the helicopter crash, he maintained that an investigation was still underway to determine the cause.