NASARAWA STATE: CAPTAIN AND SIX SOLDIERS KILLED BY BANDITS IN A RESCUE OPERATION
Seven Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed by bandits during a rescue operation in a forest along Mararaba-Udege road in Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State on Monday.
The deceased soldiers were from the 177 Guards Battalion, Shitu Alao Barracks, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Investigation by The Punch correspondent, revealed that the slain soldiers were part of a team of 13 soldiers led into the forest by one Captain Felix Kura.
According to reports, the soldiers were on a rescue mission and seven out of the 14 military men, which includes Captain Kura, Sergeant Yakubu Bati, Lance Corpral Kefas Iliya, and four others, lost their lives.
The authorities of the 177 Guards Battalion informed the families of the slain soldiers of their fate “and signal has been sent to the headquarters”. However, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Sagir Musa, a Brigadier General, denied knowledge of the development.
“I am not aware. I don’t have that information,” said Musa on a phone call with a report from The Punch on Thursday.
Report has it that the elder brother (Mr.Fabian Benjamin) to the late Captain, confirmed the incident on phone with the reporter.
He said his late brother’s remains would be interred on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in his home state, Benue.
Mr. Benjamin feared the family may not be able to break the news to their father, Benjamin Kura who is already in his 70s and might not be strong enough to withstand the shock of the sad news.
Apart from the aged father, Mr. Benjamin- the family’s eldest child, also expressed sadness over the fate of his late brother’s young wife, Susan, whom he noted was yet to bear him a child.
He said the late officer was just decorated as a captain in August, 2020.
SOURCE: THE PUNCH
