NationalNews

Armed group shoot down military helicopter in Niger State, kill 13 soldiers

Senator Sani urges FG to dispatch full attack on insurgents

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Armed bandits have brought down a Military helicopter in Niger State.

No fewer than 13 soldiers have also been killed.

The incidence took place at the Chukuba Ward in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Monday.

Sources told Irohinoodua that the armed group shot down a fighter helicopter in the area.

The pilot was also killed.

In a related development, on Sunday in Zungeru, Wushshi Local Government Area of Niger State, military personnel were ambushed on their way to respond to a distress call from Akare community

Sources said at least 10 military men, including a Major and an unconfirmed number of local vigilantes were allegedly killed.

Military authorities said the brave soldiers fought back and killed over 20 of the insurgents

The Convener, Shiroro Concerned Youths, Mr. Sanni Kokki told journalists that the incident happened on Monday morning said, “As we are talking now villagers living around the area are all now moving towards Erena.

“This is another problem again because people are being displaced from their traditional homes to unknown destinations.

“We are having another humanitarian crisis in our hands with the economic challenges confronting our people.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, when contacted reacted to the incident, as he described the situation as highly unfortunate, however he called on the federal government as a matter of urgency, dispatch all its military and security arsenals to the troubled areas in order to save innocent lives and their property.

Senator Musa said, “This is a very serious situation happening at a time we are happy that the issue of banditry is subsiding in our various communities in Niger State.

“The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency, deploy all its arsenal in order to curtail further spread

“We have been having a reduction in cases of attacks but now it appear as if there is a serious escalation of the situation

“The most alarming situation now is that the attacks look like a planned work because the bandits are carrying out their operations simultaneously in many parts of Niger State.

“Government should please, as a matter of urgency, take a drastic action on it and save lives and property of our people.”

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button