The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday confirmed the killing of 25 soldiers in an ambush laid by bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state.
The incident happened in the night of Sunday, August 13, 2023.
Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major – General Edward Buba, said those killed included three officers and 22 other ranks.
Buba, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja explained that 14, soldiers were killed in the ambush while seven others were injured.
He, however , said that the death toll increased when the Nigerian Air Force helicopter being used to evacuate injured soldiers crashed, killing the pilot, co-pilot and two crew members.
Buba, explained that helicopter crashed and nit brought down by terrorists as being speculated in some quarters.
He commiserated with the families, colleagues and friends of the deceased officers , saying that troops have already advanced to recover the bodies of the deceased soldiers.
Buba also said that the armed forces would investigate the cause of the crash and make the outcome of the investigation public as soon as it is ready.
(The Sun / vitalnewsngr.com)
