BENUE ATTACK: Army loses one officer, 10 soldiers
One army officer and 10 soldiers were reportedly killed after they went missing in Benue state in what a spokesman said was an unprovoked attack on Thursday.
One army officer and 10 soldiers were reportedly killed after they went missing in Benue state in what a spokesman said was an unprovoked attack on Thursday.
Their bodies, however, were found at Konshisha Local Government Area of the State by a search team drawn from Operation Whirl Stroke.
Speaking on the development. Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said the attack on the troops in Benue State was unprovoked.
Moreso, he added that they will “fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements.”
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“Nigerian Army (NA) troops operating in Benue State came under attack while on routine operational task.
” The troops comprising one officer and ten soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke.
“The search and rescue team, unfortunately, found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State.
“While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to justice.
“The NA under the leadership of the COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru remains resolute in ensuring stability in Benue State as well as other parts of the country that are affected by the activities of criminal gangs.
“The NA remains determined to ensure that this unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants.
“The COAS has therefore directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts in order to fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements who are threatening the peace in the area.”
Civilians, in fear of soldiers looking to root out the perpetrators, have started fleeing the Konshisha local government where one local leader’s house had been burnt to the ground.
Moreso, the violence in the restive Middle Belt region marked the latest bout of instability in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.
