11 Nigerian soldiers killed, 1 other missing, as gunmen open fire on troops

Following covert surveillance and intelligence reports on the activities of some gun runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages in Niger State, troops of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with Nigeria Air Force, went on quick cordon and search in the affected areas to recover suspected weapon cache and arrest the suspected persons and the armed bandits.

While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the 3 locations. Sadly, an officer and 8 soldiers of the Nigerian Army and 2 Airmen of the Nigeria Air Force, lost their lives in the line of national duty.

Additionally, one soldier is still missing while 2 of their colleagues were seriously wounded. The suspected gun runners and armed bandits also burnt down 4 operational vehicles and vandalized 2 others.

Bandits also carted away 4 AK-47 rifles and one Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle belonging to the deceased soldiers. The troops also killed 8 of the armed bandits and arrested 57 others. They also recovered large quantity of arms and ammunition. .

The recovered items include; 3 AK-47 rifles,10 Local AK-47 Rifles, 9 Locally made Pistols, 6 Revolver guns, which fires 7.62mm (Special ammunition), 45 Loaded Dane guns, 10 Clubs and Cudgels, 41 Arrows, 18 Bow cases, 122 Cutlasses and Machetes as well as 20 Daggers.

Other include 31 Axes, 63 rounds of 7.62 (Special) Ammunition, 10 motorcycles, Assorted Charms and Amulets, 2 Vehicles, 38 handsets, N23,870.00k, 5 Japanese Yen and 35 different denominations of old Nigerian currency, 15 Catapults, 8 Torchlights, 2 Gun Powder bottles, 4 empty cases of Ammunition and 41 Cartridges.