The Death of 36 Nigerian Soldiers in an Ambush and Helicopter Crash

The Nigerian military announced today, Thursday, that at least 36 Nigerian soldiers were killed in two attacks during operations against armed gangs in Niger State in north-central Nigeria. Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Edward Buba stated that the dead included three officers and 22 soldiers, and that seven soldiers were injured in an ambush near the village of Kondo in the Shiroro area of Niger State on August 14. A helicopter of the Air Force, model Mi-171, which was sent to evacuate the injured near the village of Chukuba in Shiroro on Monday, crashed, resulting in additional fatalities. Buba did not provide a reason for the crash, but two military sources told Reuters that the helicopter may have been shot down by gang members. Buba reported in a statement that the helicopter crashed with 14 of the earlier casualties aboard, along with seven of the previously injured, two pilots, and two crew members. He added that "operations are ongoing to recover the bodies and investigate the cause of the crash, which will be announced." Buba also mentioned that in a separate military operation in Kaduna State, forces rescued ten hostages held in a village in the Igabi local area of the state, after receiving information, which resulted in the death of the hostage-takers following a gun battle.