Nigerian Army has confirmed the death in an ambush of six personnel of 1 Division deployed in Allawa and Erena on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro local government area of Niger State.
It vowed to avenge their death, adding that despite the setback, the troops gallantly fought through the ambush and eliminated several of the terrorists as well as captured some of their equipment.
The director of army public relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the personnel comprising two officers and four soldiers were killed in a terrorists’ ambush last Friday.
“Sadly, the troops suffered a temporary setback as six personnel comprising two officers and four soldiers paid the supreme price,” he said.
Nwachukwu said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and commander of “Operation Whirl Punch,” Maj Gen Landers Saraso on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) sympathised with the families of the deceased personnel.
They promised that the unfortunate setback will be avenged by the troops.
He said the troops are currently trailing some of the terrorists who survived and fled after the encounter.
The GOC urged the people of the state to go about their lawful activities and reassured them that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies would ensure their protection at all times.
The statement added that Nigerian Army authorities have, in line with customs and traditions, 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.”
He said the Chief of Army Staff Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja was represented at the burial which took place at Minna Military Cantonment Cemetery by the commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Maj Gen Kelvin Aligbe.
Meanwhile, the deputy governor of the state, representatives 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.
