No fewer than 36 officers were killed after gunmen suspected to be terrorists laid ambush on their convoy, including an air mission, in Niger State.
According to Sahara Reporters, an army major and two lieutenants with one identified as Y. Alkali were among the victims.
“Nigerian army this morning lost about 23 soldiers, they were ambushed by bandits. One major, two lieutenants were among the victims. In fact, they set some of them ablaze inside the Hilux vehicle,” a soldier told the publication.
Twenty-two of the fallen soldiers were buried at the military cemetery in Abuja today, August 24.
The funeral proceedings was attended by the wives of the deceased soldiers, family members, and government officials, including the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, the State counterpart Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
It was gathered that some of the deceased officers had already been laid to rest by their families.
May their souls rest in peace!
See full list of the soldiers and more photos from the funeral below,
