Former President Muhammadu Buhari has conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to Nigeria as the nation grieves the loss of its valiant Armed Forces personnel in Niger State. In a statement released through his official media aide, Garba Shehu, and shared on his verified Twitter account, Buhari expressed his deep sorrow.
The former president expressed his distress at the tragic demise of numerous soldiers, who fell victim to an ambush and a subsequent helicopter crash in Niger State. He shared, ‘The helicopter accident following the harrowing ambush has left us mourning the loss of our courageous military personnel. My thoughts are with the families of those who have been bereaved. I pray for swift recovery for the injured,’ he conveyed.
Buhari also extended his sincere condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces of the Federation, and the families of the fallen soldiers. He remarked, ‘With the unwavering discipline within our troops, it is only a matter of time before they overcome this ordeal,’ he affirmed.
It is recalled that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed on Thursday the tragic loss of 36 officers in the ambush of troops in Niger State, as well as the crash of an evacuation helicopter last Monday. The insurgents had carried out a deadly ambush in the Zungeru region of the state, resulting in the sacrifice of courageous members of the Nigerian Army.
Furthermore, a Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter, engaged in a mission of casualty evacuation, crashed in the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on the same day. While investigations are ongoing to ascertain the cause of the crash, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, urged citizens to remain vigilant against terrorist propaganda and to uphold their patriotic spirit.”