Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director, Media Operations, on Thursday confirmed the deaths of 36 soldiers including the two pilots of the MI 171 helicopter and two crew members in the terrorists’ ambush at Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reacting to questions from journalists in Abuja, Buba said onboard the casualty evacuation mission aircraft were 14 previously killed soldiers, seven wounded soldiers, two pilots and two crew members.
He said: “Our troops entered an ambush in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state.
“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 us to embark on a casualty operation whereby the Air Force helicopter was dispatched.
“While that process was on and inbound to Kaduna the helicopter crashed. In the crash were 14 of the previously killed in action personnel in that ambush, seven of the previously wounded in action personnel, two pilots of the helicopter and two crew members.
“One thing is for sure. No one or group would strike at own troops without injurious consequences.”
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