At least 36 Nigerian soldiers have lost their lives in two separate attacks while conducting operations against armed gangs in the northern-central state of Niger.
The military confirmed the incidents on Thursday, shedding light on the dire security situation prevalent in the region.
Heavily armed gangs have been a source of turmoil in northwest Nigeria over the past couple of years, inflicting widespread chaos.
Their actions have included kidnapping and killing, leading to hundreds of casualties and disrupting daily life, including travel and farming activities.
According to Defence spokesman Major-General Edward Buba, the fatal attacks resulted in the deaths of three officers and 22 soldiers, while seven soldiers sustained injuries during an ambush near Kundu village in the Shiroro local government area of Niger state on August 14.
Tragedy struck again when an Air Force Mi-171 helicopter, dispatched to evacuate the casualties, crashed near Chukuba village in Shiroro on Monday.
The crash claimed additional lives. Although the cause of the crash has not been officially confirmed, military sources have indicated that gang members might have shot down the helicopter.
In a somber statement, Buba shared, “The helicopter crashed with 14 of the earlier killed in action personnel, seven of the earlier wounded in action personnel, two pilots, and two crew members.”
This unfortunate incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian security forces in their efforts to combat armed gangs and maintain stability in the region.
