May 12, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army says troops of 93 Battalion have launched out on a search and rescue mission, to secure the release of one of its officers, who went Missing In Action during an operation in Taraba State.
THEWILL reports that a Commanding Officer officer, Lieutenant Colonel, went missing while responding to a distress call of an attack on Tati community, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state in the early hours of Tuesday.
Six soldiers along with a mobile police officer, were also killed during the operation.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made this known in a statement, said the soldiers killed six of the bandits and recovered one Ak 47 rifle, one pistol, one locally fabricated gun, 2 AK 47 Magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62 mm special, 7 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and 3 motorbikes.
The statement read: “Troops of 93 Battalion have launched out, on a search and rescue mission for a personnel who is missing in action while responding to a distress call of an attack on Tati community, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 May, 2022.
“The troops had launched out swiftly on receiving a distress call that Tati community was under attack and razed by suspected bandits.
“While in pursuit of the bandits, troops fell into an ambush staged by the criminals. The troops fought fiercely through the ambush, neutralising four of the bandits. Sadly, during the fire fight, six gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while one personnel is missing in action.
“However, a reinforcement team from 6 Brigade deployed against the fleeing bandits at Ananum village in Donga Local Government Area of the state, neutralised 2 additional bandits and recovered one Ak 47 rifle, one pistol, one locally fabricated gun, 2 AK 47 Magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62 mm special, 7 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and 3 motorbikes.
“Troops are currently in pursuit of the bandits and will leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing personnel.
“The good people of Taraba state are enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.”
