Former Senator for Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has described the death of 36 soldiers in one fell swoop in Niger State as one of the most tragic incidents since Nigeria began the war against terrorists.
Sani said this in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday evening.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed in a Thursday statement that 36 military personnel were killed in an ambush and in the crash of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI17 helicopter on Monday in Niger State.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said that three officers and 22 soldiers paid the supreme price in the ambush in Zungeru general area while seven were wounded in action.
He added that the NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed in the Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
He said the crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and the seven wounded ones as well the two pilots and two crew members on board.
In his post, Sani said, “The loss of 36 soldiers in Niger State is one of the most tragic incidents since the beginning of the war against terrorists in Nigeria.
“These were fathers and husbands of families now in bereavement. We can’t wipe out the tears of those they left behind, but we can only pray for the souls of the deceased and express appreciation for their ultimate sacrifices to their country.
“You can’t imagine the heart of a child who is holding a toy and waiting for a father who will never come back.
“You can’t imagine the heart of a wife and a mother who will have to raise her children alone while walking to an uncertain future.
“May their souls rest in peace.’