36 Nigerian Soldiers Killed In Niger Ambush And Helicopter Crash

36 Nigerian Soldiers Killed In Niger Ambush And Helicopter Crash

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that 36 officers lost their lives in Niger State in two separate incidents on August 14, 2023.

The DHQ gave the details of the casualties during the biweekly briefing of the Defence Media Operations on Thursday.

According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, 16 officers were killed in an ambush by insurgents in the Zungeru area of the state, while 20 officers died in a helicopter crash in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. The helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the wounded troops from the ambush site.

Buba said that the DHQ was still investigating the cause of the helicopter crash and urged Nigerians to be patriotic and not fall for the propaganda of the terrorists.

He also commended the gallantry and sacrifice of the Nigerian Army and Air Force personnel who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.

He assured Nigerians that the DHQ was committed to ensuring the security and stability of the country.

The DHQ has not yet released the names of the soldiers who were killed.

The attacks in Niger State are the latest in a series of deadly attacks by insurgents in the region. In recent months, there has been an increase in violence in Niger State, as well as in neighboring states like Kaduna and Katsina.

The attacks have caused widespread fear and insecurity among the local population. They have also raised concerns about the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

The government has vowed to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice. However, the attacks continue, and the security situation in the region remains volatile.