The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has clarified that the Air Force Helicopter dispatched to evacuate casualties of Shiroro gun battle crashed with 14 of the earlier killed in action personnel, 7 of the wounded in action, 2 pilots and 2 crew members of the helicopter.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated this while briefing Journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
It would be recalled that on the 14 Aug 2023, in two separate but related occurrences, the Nigerian military sustained casualties following a firefight that ensued with bandits trying to cross into Niger state.
The Defence Headquarters said after the ongoing operations to recover the bodies and investigation of the air crash incident, the details will be communicated to the public.
It expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed in action as a result of the incidents.
Also in the course of Operation, Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH at Igabi and Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State north-west Nigeria eliminated one terrorist, arrested 3 suspected terrorists and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered 2 locally made dane guns and 5 AK47 magazines.
“On 10th August 2023, troops responded to information on terrorists’ attack at Danbaba Village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Troops mobilized and ambushed on the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops eliminated the threat and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.”
In the North East, the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested a terrorist’s collaborator and kidnapper at Gujba and Kaga LGAs of Yobe and Borno States, while Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist combatants surrendered to troops at Kukawa, Konduga and Bama LGAs of Borno State.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 20 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one galileo rifle, 3 dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special, 154 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 3 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm 12 rounds of 5.6mm ammo, 4 hand grenades, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 21 AK47 magazines and 3 magazines bandoliers.” among other items.
The Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South have also sustained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft destroying several illegal refining sites and recovering stolen products.
“The troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the period under review destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle, 75 cooking ovens, 2 motorcycles, 4 pumping machine, 5 outboard engine and 33 illegal refining sites.”
“Troop’s also recovered 4 pump action guns, 4 mobile phones, 1,166,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,491,250 litres of illegally refined AGO, 54,750 litres of DPK, 800 litres of PMS and the sum of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N7,500.00). Troops also neutralized 3 gunmen, arrested 12 suspects, 4 gunrunners and 7 perpetrators of oil theft”.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations as recorded is indicative of the professionalism of men and women of the armed forces, their courage and bravery.
It says the troops will continue to use superior military force to eliminate any group or groups that constitutes a threat to the safety of citizens and own forces alike.
