5 Killed, 38 injured in Sokoto auto crash
Soldiers belonging to the Operation LAFIYA DOLE at harbour in Kangarwa on Sunday dealth a blow on suspected remnants of Boko Haram.
No fewer than 16 insurgents were killed while weapons were seized, during the encounter, which according to the army spokesman, was launched by the suspected terrorists at about 5:30pm on Sunday. One soldier also died in the operation.
“The alert troops rose to the occasion and dealt a decisive blow on the insurgents, by killing 16 of them and recovering arms and ammunitions from them.
“Weapons recovered from the insurgents include one Rocket Propelled Grenade seven tube, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 11 AK-47 Rifle, a 60mm Mortar tube, a dozen of 60mm Mortar bombs, a 36 Hand Grenade, five AK-47 rifle magazines, one Gionee Handset and one Bandolier.
“Unfortunately, an officer and 11 soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter. We are glad to state they have all been treated at the unit’s medical facility and are all in stable condition.
“The troops have continued to intensify vigilance and high level of alertness through patrols and reconnaissance,” the army said.
Meanwhile, five persons died, while 38 others sustained varying degree of injuries when a trip to a wedding ceremony turned tragic for a group of youths at Grabshi village in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Reports said the incident occurred at about 8.45am on Sunday, when the unidentified driver of a counter truck lost control, leading to a fatal crash.
It was learnt that the truck marked SKK258XA rammed into a building while conveying youths in the wedding party to the next village, killing five of them. The identities of the deceased could not be ascertained at press time. A police source who confirmed the incident said the injured were rushed for treatment at the Uthman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, where bodies of the deceased were also deposited for autopsy.