According to army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, the military men lost their lives when the troops of the 31 Artillery Brigade, 1 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the Nigeria Air Force detachment on Internal Security  Operation MESA went on a special operation to capture gun-runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages of Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State.

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The men had gone on quick cordon and search in the affected areas to recover suspected weapon cache and arrest the suspected persons and the armed bandits when the men lost their lives.

“Sadly, an officer and 8 soldiers of the Nigerian Army and 2 Airmen of the Nigeria Air Force lost their lives in the line of national duty. Additionally, one soldier is still missing while 2 of their colleagues were seriously wounded,” Usman said.

Usman however corrected that contrary to statements attributed to some questionable vested interests, the troops were on a legitimate official duty aimed at safeguarding lives and property of citizen in the area.