1 Division of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Allawa and Erena, faced a tragic incident during a patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The troops encountered an ambush by terrorists on April 19, 2024, resulting in the loss of two officers and four soldiers.
Major Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the incident, stating that the soldiers bravely engaged the terrorists during the ambush, eliminating several of them and capturing some of their equipment. However, six personnel, including two officers and four soldiers, tragically lost their lives.
Maj Gen Landers Saraso, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander of Operation Whirl Punch expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the troops would avenge this loss. He mentioned that efforts were underway to track down the surviving terrorists who fled the scene.
The military authorities promptly informed the next of kin of the fallen soldiers and conducted burial rites for the Muslim personnel with the consent of their families. The Chief of Army Staff was represented at the Minna Military Cantonment Cemetery burial ceremony by Maj Gen Kelvin Aligbe, the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
In addition to visiting the wounded soldiers receiving medical treatment at the Military Hospital, the Deputy Governor, along with representatives of the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding, and other senior officers, paid condolence visits to the families of the deceased soldiers.
The public, especially the residents of Niger and neighboring states, were urged to provide actionable information to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to support their operations and ensure the safety of the communities.
