DHQ: 36 Military Personnel Killed in Attack, Helicopter Crash in Niger State

*The dead include 3 officers, 22 soldiers, 2 pilots, 2 crew members

• Says 28 terrorists killed

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said Thursday that three officers, 22 soldiers, two pilots and crew members were killed while seven were wounded in action during an ambush which resulted in a fire-fight with insurgents in Wushishi in Niger State.
The confrontation followed an ambush by insurgents which resulted in a fire-fight.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Maj Gen Edward Buba, said following the confrontation an air force plane was deployed to evacuate 17 dead and seven wounded in action soldiers to Kaduna.
He affirmed that in the process of the evacuation operation, the plane crashed.
He debunked reports that the plane was shot down, stating that an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the crash.
He said 28 terrorists were decimated during the encounter.
“I wish to on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of officers and men who were killed in an ambush by terrorists and the fire-fight that ensued”, he said.
“Three officers, 22 soldiers, two pilots and crew members died while seven were wounded in action.
“Casualty evacuation followed, while the operation was on return to Kaduna, the plane carrying 17 previously killed crashed. Seven wounded in action, two pilots and two crew members were killed”, he said.
He, however, warned that “no group will strike own troops without injurious consequences. Troops will use superior force to eliminate enemies of state”.