APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The Nigerian military high command has said that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed during the Sunday bandits’ ambush on the country’s troops in Niger State in northern Nigeria.
Addressing journalists in Abuja,
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen.Edward Buba, told journalists on Thursday in Abuja that seven soldiers were wounded during the attack.
He explained that the Nigerian Air Force helicopter that crashed on Monday was deployed for the evacuation of the casualties of the ambush attack by the bandits.
According to the army spokesperson, the crashed aircraft had on board 14 previously killed soldiers, seven wounded soldiers, two pilots, and two crew members.
“Our troops entered into an ambush in the general area of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The ambush led to a firefight, which resulted in the deaths 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, however, vowed “injurious consequences” for the bandits for attacking troops.
“One thing is for sure. No one or group would strike at troops without injurious consequences,” the report by Punch newspaper on Friday quoted Buba as saying.
The report added that the Nigeria Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, refuted reports that the crashed plane was shot down by the bandits.
According to Gabkwet, the cause of the crash is still unknown and that there is nothing to be ashamed of in accidents recorded during operations.
“We can’t say the cause of the crash for now. The Armed Forces have been open about their operations. Accidents in military operations are nothing any military organisation should be ashamed of,” Gabkwet said.
GIK/APA
25 Nigerian soldiers killed in bandits’ ambush – Army spokesman
