NAF Helicopter that crash was evacuating Niger Victims - DHQ

Following a firefight between the military and bandits, Defence Headquarters has clarified that the Nigerian Air Force Helicopter despatched to evacuate casualties of Shiroro gun battle crashed with 14 of the earlier killed in action personnel, 7 of the wounded in action, 2 pilots and 2 crew members of the helicopter.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated this while briefing Journalists in Abuja, Nigeria's Capital.

It would be recalled that on the 14 Aug 23 in two separate but related occurrences the Nigerian military sustained casualties following a firefight that ensued with bandits trying to cross into Niger.

The Defence Headquarters said after the operations that are ongoing to recover the bodies and investigation of the air crash incident, the deatils will be communicated to the public. It therefore expressed it's heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed in action as a result of the incidents.

Also in the course of Operation Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH at Igabi and Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State in the North West eliminated one terrorist, arrested 3 suspected terrorists and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered 2 locally made dane guns and 5 AK47 magazines.

"On 10th August 2023, troops responded to information on terrorists’ attack at Danbaba Village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Troops mobilized and ambushed on the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops eliminated the threat and rescued 10 kidnap hostages"

In the North East the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested a terrorist’s collaborator and kidnapper at Gujba and Kaga LGAs of Yobe and Borno States while Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist combatants surrendered to troops at Kukawa, Konduga and Bama LGAs of Borno State.

"In the course of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 20 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one galileo rifle, 3 dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special, 154 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 3 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm 12 rounds of 5.6mm ammo, 4 hand grenades, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 21 AK47 magazines and 3 magazines bandaliers".

"Others include; one boafeng radio, 7 mobile phones, 2 motorcycle tyres, 5 touch lights, 9 mosquito nets, one pair of rain boot, one helmet and sum of N253,400.00 only. Troops also eliminated 7 terrorists, arrested 5 and rescued 31 kidnapped hostages. 28 family members of the BH/ISWAP terrorists comprising of 9 adult females and 19 children were among were also rescued and taken into custody for profiling".

The Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South have also sustained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft destroying several illegal refining sites and recovering stolen products.

"the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the period under review destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle, 75 cooking ovens, 2 motorcycles, 4 pumping machine, 5 outboard engine and 33 illegal refining sites"

"Troop’s also recovered 4 pump action guns, 4 mobile phones, 1,166,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,491,250 litres of illegally refined AGO, 54,750 litres of DPK, 800 litres of PMS and the sum of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N7,500.00). Troops also neutralized 3 gunmen arrested 12 suspects, 4 gunrunners and 7 perpetrators of oil theft".

The Defence Headquarters said the operations as recorded is indicative of the professionalism of men and women of the armed forces, their courage and bravery.

It says the troops will continue to use superior military force to eliminate any group or groups that constitutes a threat to the safety of citizens and own forces alike.