DHQ: Three officers, 22 soldiers killed in Niger state ambush, crash

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed during the ambush and helicopter crash that occurred in Wushishi and Shiroro LGAs of Niger state.

Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operation, who announced this during a biweekly briefing on operations of the DHQ, did not give the cause of the crash but said the investigation was ongoing to determine the factors that led to the accident.

“Our troops entered into an ambush in the general area of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state,” Buba said.

“The ambush led to a firefight which resulted in the death of three officers and 22 soldiers, while seven were wounded in action.

“As a result of this, there was a need for casualty evacuation whereby the air force helicopter was dispatched.

“While that operation was on and inbound to Kaduna, the helicopter crashed.

“It crashed with 14 of the previously killed in action personnel at the ambush, seven of the previously wounded in action personnel at the ambush, two pilots of the helicopter and two crew members.”

Buba appealed to the public to remain patriotic and to be wary of propaganda spread by terrorists.

On August 14, an aircraft conveying wounded soldiers from a scene of an ambush by bandits in Wushishi LGA crashed in Chukuba village, Shiroro LGA.

Several military personnel were reportedly killed by terrorists who attacked villages near Zungeru, abducting residents and rustling cattle.