Following the ambush and killing of 20 Soldiers including two officers and several Policemen by bandit’s in Shiroro area of Niger State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya has vowed that the Nigerian Army will get the criminal’s responsible.
Speaking after the Juma’at prayer service to mark the 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration at Mogadishu barracks, the COAS said, “We have had our challenges. Recently in Niger State, we had one challenge but we are addressing them. We are not detered by any challenge from all those criminals .
“As we speak, we are on their trail and we will and I say we will get those criminals in Niger and other areas throughout the country.
On NADCEL he said, “We are celebrating 159 years of the existence of the Nigerian Army. It is time to reflect on our performance and look back with pride to appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of the officers and the men of the Nigerian Army over the years as a key instrument of national unity and security of the country.
“159 years of this institution, is not a small period. Over the years , we have proven ourselves both in Nigeria and abroad with our competence and skills, commitment and dedication with which we do our jobs.
“It is time to appreciate our troops including those who have paid the supreme price in their efforts to ensure Nigeria is secured and remain united.
“We will continue to appreciate the support of the President and all those who have supported us. We have had our challenges, recently in Niger State, we had one challenge but we are addressing them. We are not detered by any challenge from all those criminals .
In his remarks, the Acting Deputy Director Islamic Affairs Army Headquarters Garrison, Lt. Col Musa Abdulkadri Abass disclosed that, “The point of today’s special Juma’at service for NADCEL is on promoting national unity through religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
“There is no way for us as a national to reach the greatest height we wish for without tolerating one another, we have to tolerate one another religiously, socially.
“We have to tolerate one another in all ramifications and we can’t achieve that if we are not sincere with one another, truthful to one another, we must strive and live peaceful with one another”.
Meanwhile, following the attack, the General Officer Commanding 1 division, Nigerian Army, Major General Kabir Mukhtar has reocated to the Shiroro to lead troops assault on the bandits.
The Army authorities also disclosed that contrary to reports that some critical national infrastructure were destroyed during the attack by the bandits, there was no such destruction.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu made this known in a statement titled, “No Attack On Critical National Infrastructure. Troops Ambushed in Response to Distress Call in Shiroro”
He said, “On Wednesday 29 June 2022, troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) deployed in Shiroro general area responded to a distress call of bandits attack on people operating a mining site.
“Enroute the location, the troops ran into an ambush staged by the criminal elements.
“Sadly, a number of personnel paid the supreme price in fierce firefight that ensued.
“Subsequently, the location has been reinforced and troops are on the trail of the criminals with some already neutralized.
“The GOC 1 Division has moved to the location to take charge of the follow on operations.
“The NA notes that some clips of the incident have surfaced online and wish to encourage well meaning Nigerians to exercise some restraint in posting images of such occurrence, mindful that our brothers and sisters who may have lost their breadwinners deserve to be properly notified and not to get such information via the media.
“We mention this, mindful of the inalienable rights of citizens to use the social media which is respected.
“It is also necessary to clarify that activities of the criminals was not on any critical national asset or infrastructure.
 “Furthermore, the NA calls on all Nigerians to continue to support the efforts of their military personnel who continue to confront the enemies of our dear nation.”
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