8 soldiers, one officer and 2 Airmen of the Nigerian Air force were
killed in an attack by gunrunners and bandits in Bosso Local Government
Area of Niger State. The troops also killed 8 of the armed bandits and
arrested 57 others. They also recovered large quantity of arms and
ammunition.
Director
of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the attack
said that following covert surveillance and intelligence reports on the
activities of some gun runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and
Gagaw villages in Boss LGA, 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.
The statement reads:
“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.
The Army urge all law abiding citizens 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.