The mutilated corpses of soldiers killed in last Friday’s attack by suspected bandits have been recovered in Niger State.
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 source, who is privy to the development and craves anonymity because of the matter’s sensitive nature, told The PUNCH that the soldiers comprising one Army Major, one Captain, and four rank and file were killed by suspected Boko Haram sect members, contrary to reports that they were killed by bandits.
According to the source, the soldiers had lost their way while on a mission to combat the bandits occupying the forest when they were ambushed and there was a shootout which resulted in casualties on the side of the soldiers and the bandits.
The soldiers’ corpses were said to be later found on Saturday in the bush without their uniforms on them and with bullet shots on their heads and other parts of their bodies.
“The military joint task force of Alawa and Erena along with some vigilante members in Shiroro local government had engaged the criminals in a gun duel at Lolo in Alawa axis of the area council leading to casualties from both sides,” the source said.
Niger State Commissioner of Homeland Security, a retired Brigadier General, Garba Mohammed, who confirmed the incident to the media, declined to mention the number of casualties.
He, however, said efforts were ongoing to fight the Boko Haram insurgents and other elements of insecurity in the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Bago has described the killing as “atrocious, provocative, and unacceptable”.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Bologi Ibrahim, the governor, who assured that their deaths would not be in vain, said he would ensure that “all the needed support towards halting the nefarious activities of bandits would be provided”.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the killings of two of its officers and four soldiers during an ambush by terrorists in Niger.
The army personnel of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army deployed to Allewa and Erena were killed on April 19, while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, announced this on Sunday.
Nwachukwu said: “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 6 personnel comprising 2 officers and 4 soldiers paid the supreme price.
“The General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen Landers Saraso has on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff sympathized with the families of the deceased personnel and promised them 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. He urged the good people of the State to go about their legitimate and lawful activities and reassured them that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies will ensure their protection at all times.”
He further noted that, the army, in line with its customs and traditions, had contacted the Next of Kins of the fallen heroes, while burial was conducted for the deceased Muslim personnel with the consent and approval of their family members.
He said 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.
Nwachukwu added, “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.”