The Tuesday bandits’ attack on Kebbi State Deputy Governor Samaila Yombe, saw 18 soldiers killed, eight injured and two others still missing, the Nigerian Army has confirmed.
The attack happened in Kanya community of Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State Tuesday evening, when Yombe, and the army commanding officer in Kebbi were visiting the community.
Earlier reports had claimed that 13 soldiers were killed during the attack.
But, according to Premium Times, the Defence Headquarters, in an internal communication, the Joint Task Force of Operation Hadarin Daji stated that 18 soldiers lost their lives in the gun battle with the bandits.
The soldiers involved were from the 223 Battalion stationed in Zuru, Kebbi State.
The official brief titled “Special situation report”, said that the officers involved were from Team 10 of the battalion.
“Troops engaged bandits/terrorists with deliberate fire but outnumbered by bandits. Troops casualties: 18 soldiers killed in action, 8 soldiers wounded in action and two soldiers missing in action. Equipment casualties: one gun truck burnt, one AA Dushka gun 18 AK-47 rifles carted away,” it stated.
The communication, however, noted that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.