‘We recorded 3 casualties’ — army speaks on attack on presidential guard troops

The Nigerian Army says it recorded three casualties when its troops from the guards brigade’s 7 battalion ran into an ambush by gunmen on Sunday.

The battalion is a unit under the guards brigade, which is responsible for protecting the president.

The soldiers were said to be on routine patrol along the Kubwa-Bwari road when they ran into the ambush.

TheCable had reported how three soldiers sustained injuries from the attack and were moved to the army’s hospital. 

Speaking on the attack on Tuesday, Godfrey Abakpa, spokesperson of the brigade, said no soldier was abducted by the gunmen, but the troops recorded three casualties in the encounter.

“No soldier was abducted; we only had three casualties and they were evacuated,” he said. 

He also said the troops had dislodged “the criminals” from the area and had continued an exploitation operation within the vicinity of the attack.

At the time TheCable reported about the injured soldiers, a military source had said details on the extent of their injuries were still under confirmation.

It is, however, not clear if the recorded casualties were same as the injured soldiers.

Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, on Tuesday, commiserated with the families of the deceased.

In a statement by Onogwu Muhammed, his press secretary, the governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, said two of the officers were indigenes of Kogi.

“Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed grief over the death of Army officers killed during an ambush on the Presidential Brigade Guard on Sunday by suspected terrorists after the Army responded to a distress call from the Nigeria Law School, Bwari,” the statement reads.

“Governor Bello in a press release signed on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, said that it was more saddening to find out that two out of the fallen gallant officers, namely, Captain Samuel Attah and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman were illustrious sons of Kogi State.

“Governor Bello condemned the terrorists’ ambush, describing it as a dastardly act and a show of cowardice while urging authorities to expedite actions and ensure the capture of those responsible and also forestall any future occurrence.

“He added that the incessant but cowardly uncoordinated attacks by terrorists must receive keen attention and brutal response from respective security agencies, asserting that the Nigerian internal sovereignty must not be at the mercy of criminal elements.

“The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, particularly the father of Lt. Suleiman, Col Suleiman Ahmodu Babanawa (Rtd) from Okpo, Olamaboro Local Government, and Captain Samuel Attah from Ibaji Local Government Area of the State.

“He also extended his commiseration to the Nigeria Army over the death of some of their finest officers.