“Horror Unleashed: 36 Nigerian Soldiers Fall in Fierce Confrontation Against Armed Gangs”
Nigeria: 36 Soldiers Lose Lives in Ambush and Helicopter Crash, Military Reports
A tragic event unfolded as 36 Nigerian soldiers tragically lost their lives in two separate attacks.
The northwestern region of Nigeria has been plagued by gangs of heavily armed men, causing widespread chaos over the past couple of years. Their actions have included the abduction of thousands, the death of hundreds, and the rendering of roads and farming areas unsafe for travel and agriculture.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Defence spokesman, disclosed that the casualties included three officers and 22 soldiers. The attack occurred during an ambush near Kundu village in the Shiroro local government area of Niger state on August 14. Furthermore, seven soldiers sustained injuries in the same incident.
In a tragic twist, an Air Force Mi-171 helicopter dispatched to airlift the wounded crashed near Chukuba village in Shiroro on Monday, leading to additional casualties. Although the cause of the crash was not officially confirmed by Buba, two military sources shared with Reuters that it was likely the result of gang members shooting at the helicopter.
Buba reported, “The helicopter was engaged in an accident which encompassed 14 personnel previously killed in action, seven who had earlier been wounded in action, in addition to two pilots and two crew members.” He further mentioned, “Efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies and ascertain the reasons behind the air crash, which will be communicated.”
The continuous attacks by gangs, often referred to as “bandits,” have posed significant challenges for Nigeria’s security forces. The security forces are contending with a forceful secessionist faction in the eastern region, a lethal clash between herders and farmers in central states, and a 13-year-long struggle against Islamist organizations like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northern part of the country.
In a distinct military operation within Kaduna state, troops successfully rescued 10 hostages from a village in the Igabi local government area. This operation was carried out following a tipoff, culminating in a gun battle with the abductors. Buba confirmed that the abductors were neutralized in the operation.