Expansion
An ambush and a helicopter crash killed 36 Nigerian soldiers during an operation against armed militants in Nigeria’s northern region. The Nigerian army said on Thursday that militants carried out the ambush during clashes with armed gangs in the northern region.
Locals told media the helicopter was shot down by armed gangs in neighboring Niger’s Vuishi, following clashes earlier in the week. This has raised concerns over the increasing strength of gunmen in the northern region of Nigeria.
Defense spokesman Major General Edward Buba told the media that the soldiers were conducting an operation in neighboring Niger on Monday when armed gangs ambushed them. He said three army officers and 22 soldiers were killed in the ambush and shootout. While seven soldiers have been injured.
Buba said that a Nigerian Air Force helicopter was then dispatched to evacuate the casualties, but it crashed, resulting in the death of 14 military personnel, including pilots and crew members. He said the cause of the accident is being investigated.
Dozens of militants were killed in military operations
The defense spokesman said dozens of militant gang members were either killed or detained in several other military operations. He said the Nigerian Army was determined to restore peace in the restive region of the country.
The attack has thrown up new challenges for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, who is leading efforts by the West Africa regional bloc of ECOWAS to restore democracy in neighboring Niger after a recent military coup.