..Troops repel assault, neutralise several insurgents
..Governor AbdulRazaq mourns fallen heroes, vows continued support
Three soldiers of the Nigerian Army were killed in the early hours of Monday following a fierce gun battle with suspected terrorists who attacked a military base in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed the incident in a statement shared on Monday evening, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the troops.
According to the governor, the attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m., but was successfully repelled by soldiers stationed in the area.
“At about 3 a.m. today, our gallant soldiers courageously beat back a terrorists’ attack on their position in Kemanji, Kaiama.
Many of the terrorists were neutralised by the gallant troops,” he stated.
He added that the swift response of the military prevented the assailants from infiltrating the community and foiling what appeared to be a planned abduction.
“Our brave men not only repelled the terrorists and prevented them from accessing the community, but they also ensured that no one was kidnapped as the terrorists had intended,” the governor said.
Despite the successful defence, AbdulRazaq confirmed that three soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty. “In the course of repelling the attack, we lost three courageous men.
My sincere condolences are with the families and loved ones of these great patriots who have paid the supreme price in the service of our fatherland,” he added.
The governor assured that the state government would stand by the families of the fallen soldiers and continue to support security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
“We will never forget their sacrifices and those of others serving across different theatres of operation in the country,” he said.
The incident in Kwara comes amid renewed attacks on military formations in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East. Just days earlier, a senior officer and six soldiers were killed during a terrorist assault on a military formation in Monguno, Borno State.
The attack, which occurred at a forward operating base known as “Charlie 13,” was confirmed by Sani Uba, spokesperson of the North-East Joint Task Force, who said insurgents launched the assault late Sunday night.
In a separate incident on April 8, a brigadier-general and three other soldiers were also killed in a coordinated attack in Benisheikh, Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters, through its Director of Media Operations, Michael Onoja, disclosed that the attack took place around 12:30 a.m., underscoring the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups.
Security analysts say the spate of attacks highlights the need for sustained military operations and enhanced intelligence to curb insurgency across the country.
