President Bola Tinubu expressed his grief for the deaths of the soldiers who were ambushed and slain by bandits in the Shiroro region of Niger State on Monday, as well as the helicopter crash involving the Nigerian Air Force.
The President, in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, stated that the incidents brought him “immense sadness.”
He said, “These officers and men were answering the call of duty while on an evacuation mission. In their dedicated service to our beloved country, they paid the ultimate price.”
While commending the courage and devotion of the fallen soldiers, Tinubu said, “On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my condolences to their families, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the entire Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
This was as the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, vowed that the military would rid Niger State and other states of banditry and insurgency.
This is coming after bandits laid an ambush for troops and killed many in the Shiroro area of Niger State.
The Air Force also lost its aircraft while on a rescue mission in the state on Monday.
Punchng