One Dead, Van Burnt As Militants Attack Troops In Akpabuyo

An early morning attack on the Nigerian army troops by a suspected militant group on Saturday in Akpabuyo, Cross River State has left one soldier and two militants dead.According to a source at the scene of the incident, a pickup van was also set ablaze by the militants.The ensuing clash, which has left residents in the area panic stricken, was allegedly caused by the militants who attacked the military post at Efut Isigi in Akpabuyo.The attack was led by one Benjamin Simply, alias GI, a notorious militant in the area, it was further gathered.The attack has been confirmed by the 13 brigade of the Nigerian army in Calabar.In a press release on Saturday evening in Calabar, the brigades Public Relations Officer, Captain Kayode Owolabi, said the army unfortunately lost a gallant soldier in the ensuing battle, while two militants were gunned down by the troops.The release urged residents in the area to go about their lawful endeavors as the military were still on the trail of other members of the group, who fled with gun shot injuries.In early morning hours of today, troops were attacked at Efut Isigi in Bakassi LGA by militant groups led by the most wanted leader, Benjamin Simpily, alias G1. In the gun battle, one soldier was killed and a pickup van burnt and two militants were killed, while others fled with gushot wounds. Troops have been fully mobilized and on pursuit of the militants.We want to assure law abiding citizens to be calm and avail the military and security agencies with useful information to help track these criminals. A coordinated joint military action is ongoing to hunt down these criminals no matter their hide outs, the statement read in part.
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