Army confirms loss of soldiers in Wushishi, Niger attack
By Emma Ogbuehi
Authorities of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed that many soldiers were killed by bandits in an ambush on Sunday night during an operation by troops to stop bandits’ attacks on local communities in the area.
The incident reportedly took place at Kundu via Zungeru in the Wushishi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger state.
There had been reports that 21 soldiers and officers were killed during the ambush while the Airforce said its helicopter MI 171 carrying casualties of the ambush crashed around Shiroro area.
Responding to inquiries on the incident, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said, “I can confirm that there was an incident in Wushishi LG of Niger state.
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“Our gallant patriots paid the supreme price when they ran into an ambush staged by insurgents.
“They were courageous till the end. They stood their ground and defended our great country with their lives.
“The focus now is how to console and bring respite to those they left behind.
“Sadly the incident occurred while the Chief of Army Staff is on operational tour of the North West Operations theatre for on the spot assessment and reinvigoration of ongoing operations.
“He has currently headed to the affected formation to encourage the troops.
It was gathered that 13 of the soldiers were killed in an encounter on Sunday, while eight others were killed on Monday in an ambush in which a captain and a major were reportedly involved.
According to reports, the security operatives were trying to block the Kundu route of the criminals who were about to cross with some rustled cattle when they were ambushed, leading to the casualties including five vigilantes who were injured with bullets.
Channels TV gathered that the bandits had rustled several animals from several communities and tried to cross from Akere to the northern parts of the country.
The medium quoted sources as indicating that the corpses of the 21 military personnel were deposited at the same Zungeru hospital where the injured vigilante group were receiving medical treatment.