By Chika Otuchikere
The Nigerian Army vowed on Sunday that it would avenge the killing of two officers and four soldiers by terrorists in Niger State on Friday.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu Onyema, said the personnel were killed in an ambush by terrorists.
The soldiers were reported to have been killed when they engaged bandits in a duel in the Roro, Karaga and Rumace communities, Bassa Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
A resident of the area, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, said the corpses of the soldiers were found on Saturday with bullet wounds.
According to the source, the soldiers lost their way while on a mission to combat the bandits occupying the forest when they were ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists.
In his statement on Sunday, the army spokesman, Onyema, said, “Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army deployed at Allawa and Erena, while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State had an encounter in an ambush staged by terrorists on 19 April 2024. Troops gallantly fought through the ambush and eliminated several of the terrorists as well as captured some of their equipment.
“Sadly, the troops suffered a temporary setback as six personnel, comprising two officers and four soldiers paid the supreme price.
“The General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander of Operation Whirl Punch, Maj. Gen. Landers Saraso has, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff sympathised, with the families of the deceased personnel and promised them that the unfortunate setback would be avenged by the troops.”
He also said the Muslims, among the slain personnel, had been buried.
Onyema said, “In line with customs and traditions, the Nigerian Army authority has contacted the next-of-kins of the fallen heroes, while burial has been conducted for the deceased Muslim personnel with the consent and approval of their family members.
“The Chief of Army Staff was represented at the burial, which took place at Minna Military Cantonment Cemetery, by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj. Gen. Kelvin Aligbe. “
He noted that two senior officers wounded were receiving medical attention in a military hospital.
He said,”The Deputy Governor, representative of the COAS, GOC and other senior officers also visited the two wounded soldiers receiving medical attention at the military hospital and subsequently paid a condolence visit to the families of the deceased.’’
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, described the killing of the soldiers as “atrocious, provocative and unacceptable”.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said the soldiers’ death would not be in vain.
“All the needed support towards halting the nefarious activities of bandits would be provided,” he said.
Source: The Punch
