20 Nigerian Military Officers Killed in Niger Ambush Honored in Abuja

Tears streamed down as the funerary rites for 20 out of the 36 military officers and soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a combination of combat and an air crash in Niger State between August 13 and 14, 2023, took place on Friday. The solemn event unfolded at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, where hearts were heavy with grief.

The remaining 16 individuals had already been laid to rest at different locations across the nation, their final resting places chosen by their grieving families.

As previously reported by THE WITNESS, the devastating events unfolded when terrorists orchestrated an ambush in the vicinity of Zungeru in Niger State last week, resulting in the loss of three officers and 22 soldiers.

Adding to the heartache, on August 14, 2023, a NAF MI-171 Helicopter tragically crashed around 1pm near Chukuba village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The helicopter was en route for a casualty evaluation mission at the time of the crash.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the casualties while giving an update on the ambush of troops in Niger State and an evacuation helicopter that crashed on August 14, 2023.

The aircraft evacuating the victims crashed with 14 soldiers previously killed in action and seven soldiers wounded in action, bringing the casualty figure to 36 killed in action.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the casualties while giving an update on the ambush of troops in Niger State and an evacuation helicopter that crashed on August 14, 2023.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa, other service chiefs, rank and file of the Nigerian Armed Forces, as well as families of the deceased, were in attendance.