Taraba shootout: Army launches operation to rescue abducted Okore, confirms six soldiers, six terrorists died 

Bisi ABASS

Tuesday night gun-battle in Tati community, Taraba State, claimed the lives of six soldiers while six terrorists were also neutralized.

It was reported on Wednesday that six soldiers were shot dead during an ambush by terrorists (bandits) in Tati Community as the soldiers responded to a distress call from the community.

Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that the soldiers also shot four of the terrorists dead even as one of its personnel was declared missing.

He said Troops of 93 Battalion had launched out, on a search and rescue mission for a personnel who is missing in action while responding to a distress call of an attack on Tati community, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state in the early hours of Tuesday 10 May 2022.

“The troops had launched out swiftly on receiving a distress call that Tati community was under attack and razed by suspected bandits.

“While in pursuit of the bandits, troops fell into an ambush staged by the criminals. The troops fought fiercely through the ambush neutralizing four of the bandits.

“Sadly, during the fire fight, six gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while one personnel is missing in action.

“However, a reinforcement team from 6 Brigade deployed against the fleeing bandits at Ananum village in Donga Local Government Area of the state, neutralized 2 additional bandits and recovered one Ak 47 rifle, one pistol, one locally fabricated gun, 2 AK 47 Magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62 mm special, 7 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and 3 motorbikes,” he said.

Nwachukwu said troops were currently in pursuit of the bandits and would leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing personnel.

“The good people of Taraba state are enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ememike S. Okore: abducted by terrorists in Taraba

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Ememike S. Okore (N/11717) has been identified as the army commanding officer missing in action after engaging terrorists in Taraba on Tuesday.

The missing Nigerian soldier was identified by Sahara Reporters.

The Army however confirmed that an operation has now been launched to rescue Okore.

Those killed were Dauda Tata (7NA/44/4046), Yusuf Salihu (95NA/40/5031), Ndubuise Okonkwo (96NA/42/6911), Abdullahi Ibrahim (13NA/70/7901), Emmanuel Jerry (14NA/72/14051) and Sani Isa (14NA/72/15462).