At least 26 members of the Nigerian security forces tragically lost their lives, and eight were wounded in a brutal ambush carried out by unidentified gunmen in central Nigeria on Sunday night. The incident occurred along the Zungeru-Tegina highway, an area where the army is engaged in combat against criminal groups. As the nation grapples with this devastating loss, further complications arose when an air force helicopter, dispatched to rescue the wounded, crashed on Monday morning in the same vicinity.
According to two military sources who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization, the attack resulted in the death of 23 soldiers, including three officers, and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (Civilians JTF), a local vigilante group. Additionally, eight soldiers sustained injuries during what was described as a fierce battle. The sources highlighted the severity of the encounter, emphasizing that the bandits responsible for the attack also suffered substantial casualties.
In a distressing turn of events, communication was lost with an air force helicopter that had been sent to evacuate the casualties. The second military officer revealed that the helicopter, en route to transport the wounded, was carrying a total of 11 deceased individuals and seven injured personnel. The aircraft’s crash was attributed to gunfire from the assailants, raising questions about the safety of rescue operations in such hostile environments.
Edward Gabkwet, a spokesman for the Nigerian air force, confirmed the crash of the Mi-171 helicopter. He stated that the aircraft was on a “casualty evacuation mission” and had taken off from Zungeru Primary School, heading toward Kaduna. However, shortly after take-off, the helicopter crashed near Chukuba Village in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Gabkwet assured the public that efforts were underway to rescue the individuals on board, and preliminary investigations had been initiated to determine the cause of the tragic crash.
This devastating incident underscores the grave risks and challenges faced by Nigerian security forces as they confront criminal elements threatening the nation’s stability. The loss of lives and the helicopter crash highlight the complex nature of maintaining security in conflict zones and the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols during rescue missions. As investigations continue, Nigeria mourns the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty and grapples with the ongoing efforts to address security challenges within its borders.
