At least one officer, 8 soldiers and two airmen were shot dead on Satuday
during a military operation in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages of Bosso
Local Government Area, Niger State.
According to statement released late Saturday night by Nigria’s Army
Spokesman, Col.Sani Usman also confirmed that one soldies is still
missing while two others suffered serious injuries.
“Following covert surveillance and intelligence reports on the activities
of some gun runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages of
Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, troops of 31 Artillery Brigade,
1 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with Nigeria Air Force detachment
on Internal Security Operation MESA went on quick cordon and search in
the affected areas to recover suspected weapon cache and arrest the
suspected persons and the armed bandits.
“Contrary to statements attributed to some questionable vested interests,
the troops were on legitimate official duty aimed at safeguarding lives
and property of citizen in the area.
While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the
troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the three
locations. They however responded as necessary in line with the rules of
engagement. 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 items recovered
include 31 Axes, 63 rounds of 7.62 (Special) Ammunition, 10 Bajaj
Motorcycles, Assorted Charms and Amulets, 2 Vehicles, 38 mobile telephone
handsets, a wristwatch, 5 Identity Cards, Passport Photographs, Cash sum
of 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. The troops also seized a
military Waist Belt and a pair of military Combat Boots.
“It is important to stress that the nefarious activities of the gun
runners and the armed bandits has direct bearing with the influx of
weapons and general insecurity in some parts of the Federal Capital
Territory and the North West geo-political zone of the country.
“The same gun runners have been confirmed to be the suppliers of arms to
armed robbery gangs that were involved in series of armed robbery attacks
along Minna-Bida road and the general environment.
” Although the situation is under control, the military will not rest on
its oars until all those involved are arrested and brought to justice. The
military will continue to deal with any violent threat to our national
security. All law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their lawful
duties as the cordon and search operation continues in the general area
and if necessary expand to other identified areas to keep our people safe.