Convoy Ambush: 30 soldiers killed after gun battle with bandits in Niger State
A gunfight with bandits is said to have resulted in the deaths of no less than 30 military personnel, including a major and an undetermined number of local vigilantes, in Zungeru, Wushshi Local Government Area, Niger State.
In the intense struggle, where they fought the bandits to a stalemate and killed well over 30 of them, eight additional soldiers reportedly suffered serious wounds.
Platinum Times has learned that the incident took place on Sunday.
On their approach to respond to a distress call from the Akare settlement, where the bandits, totaling approximately 70 and presumably carrying sophisticated weapons, were rustling livestock, the military personnel reportedly fell into an ambush.
A local source told Platinum Times that 30 bandits in total were defeated during the gunfight, and their remains were left in the forest while the injured were transported.
The source claimed that the change had compelled locals to flee their homes and seek safety in Zungeru.
“Nigerian army this morning lost about 30 soldiers, they were ambushed by bandits. One major, two lieutenants were among the victims. In fact, they set some of them ablaze inside the Hilux vehicle,” a soldier told News men.
David Hundeyin a popular micro media analyst also confirmed the story.
He wrote;
“The total figure is close to 30. I know this because I have a gruesome video of the bodies, which I will not upload out of respect for the families of these men.”
“Once again, whoever wants to attack Niger while having such a security situation at home is incredibly foolish.”
The bodies of the deceased troops were first brought to the Federal Medical Center Zungeru on Sunday and then transported from the facility to an undisclosed location, according to information obtained by Platinum Times.
Alh. Tareek Abdulrahim, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security, was called in an attempt to get confirmation, but he did not pick up the phone.
When reached, an officer from the 31st Artillery Brigade in Minna declined to comment and instead forwarded Daily Post to the Nigerian Army’s Director of Communication.