Gunmen Ambush in Central Nigeria Claims Lives of 26 Security Forces, Helicopter Crash Adds to Tragedy
In a devastating incident, at least 26 members of the Nigerian security forces lost their lives and eight others were wounded in a brutal ambush by gunmen in central Nigeria on Sunday evening. The attack occurred along the Zungeru-Tegina highway, a volatile area where the army is engaged in battling criminal groups. The tragic event took an even more heart-wrenching turn when an air force helicopter, dispatched to rescue the wounded, crashed on Monday morning in the same vicinity. It is unclear at this point whether the crew and passengers survived the crash.
According to two military sources who spoke with AFP on condition of anonymity, due to not being authorized to comment, the loss of life included 23 soldiers, including three officers, and three civilians serving as part of the Joint Task Force (JTF). An additional eight soldiers sustained injuries during the encounter with the gunmen. The first military source described the clash along the Zungeru-Tegina highway as a serious fight. The second source echoed the same casualty count and reported heavy losses on the side of the bandits who initiated the attack.
Furthermore, the second military officer stated that communication had been severed with the air force helicopter that was deployed to evacuate the casualties. Distressingly, 11 of the deceased and seven of the wounded were on board the ill-fated aircraft. The officer attributed the crash to gunfire unleashed by the bandits, emphasizing their responsibility for the tragic turn of events.
The Nigerian air force spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the downing of the Mi-171 helicopter and the subsequent crash. He revealed that the helicopter was on a casualty evacuation mission and departed from Zungeru Primary School, en route to Kaduna. However, investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Gabkwet emphasized the ongoing efforts to rescue those aboard the aircraft.
This unfortunate incident adds to the relentless wave of violence and insecurity that has plagued Nigeria, particularly in the northwest and center of the country. Criminals known as bandits are relentless in their attacks and kidnappings, regularly targeting vulnerable communities. These gangs, notorious for mass abductions of schoolchildren, operate from camps situated across the states of Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina.
The regions of northwest and central Nigeria have long been at the mercy of bandits, who unleash terror by raiding remote villages, killing and abducting residents for ransom, and burning down homes after looting them. Experts argue that the prevailing culture of impunity, coupled with inadequate security measures and insufficient government presence, has allowed violence to fester and spiral out of control.
The tragic ambush and subsequent helicopter crash serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for heightened security measures and robust efforts to address Nigeria’s endemic security challenges. It is crucial that the government takes decisive action to protect the lives of its citizens and restore stability to these troubled regions.
