July 18, (THEWILL) – Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled an attack on a military camp in Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, killing scores of gunmen, believed to be terrorists, while several others escaped with bullet wounds.
Local sources said the gunmen came in a large number and invaded the camp at about 2.am on Monday, but they met a stiff challenge from some soldiers who engaged them in a fierce gun battle that lasted more than two hours.
The latest attack occurred barely three weeks after terrorists invaded a mining site at Agata Aboki, Erena In Shiroro Local Government Area, killing 34 soldiers and eight mobile policemen.
Unlike the attack at Ajata Aboki where the army suffered heavy casualties, sources said, no soldier died in the latest incident.
A source close to the community confirmed that an unspecified number of the gunmen were successfully neutralised by the soldiers.
“The soldiers ambushed the gunmen after they received information that the attackers were coming. About 100 gunmen eventually came on motorcycles. They parked their vehicles in a distance and walked through the bush to attack the soldiers. But the soldiers had already taken position and were waiting for them.
“Because the attackers were many, the soldiers had to call for reinforcements from Minna and they arrived in less than 40 minutes. That was why they were able neutralise the terrorists,” the source said.
Although the authorities are yet to issue a statement on the incident, the spokesperson of Coalition of Shiroro Association, Salis M Sabo (Esq), who confirmed the attack, saying that the motive of the terrorists was clearly to dislodge the military base.
“The energy and passion with which our security men displayed against the terrorists was unprecedented and it has restored hope in the people,” he said.
About the Author
