By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The convoy of Kebbi Deputy Governor Samaila Dabai Yombe was ambushed twice within hours on Tuesday, News Express can authoritatively report. Though Yombe escaped death, the second deadly ambush saw the terrorists killing 18 soldiers, and a police officer attached to the Deputy Governor. The deadly ambush took place in Kanya, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

A senior aide in the office of the Deputy Governor who pleaded anonymity said on Wednesday: “18 soldiers and the escort commander in the entourage of the Deputy Governor, ASP Idris Libata, were killed and eight other soldiers were injured in the ambush that occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Kanya.

“The Deputy Governor narrowly escaped unhurt while one soldier is still not accounted for.

“The bandits stripped the dead soldiers of their uniforms, recovered the dead bodies of their members and fled.”

Bashir Bala a journalists however, confirmed that 19 soldiers were killed in the ambush.

“I counted 19 bodies this morning (Wednesday) of the soldiers killed from the Tuesday ambush in Kanya. They were loaded into two ambulances for transport to Birnin Kebbi.

“I also witnessed an ugly incident where some angry soldier shot sporadically in the air in the presence of the deputy governor, the chief of Wasagu Chiefdom and the village head of Kanya. It was a very scary situation. The soldiers were displaying their anger for being led into an ambush without enough fire power and personnel. We all have to take cover including the deputy governor who was quickly removed from the airport,” Bala said.

Musa Daudu, one of the sons of the village head of Kanya who spoke to our correspondent, also confirmed the killing.

Daudu said: “At the moment I can confirm to you that 16 soldiers, two police office and two vigilantes are killed by the gunmen who ambushed the convoy of the deputy governor on their way to Wasagu yesterday (Tuesday) evening. My father is in a state of shock from. The experience of the killings and the drama at the airstrip, he cannot talk right now.”

The Deputy Governor while confirming the incident to newsmen in Zuru, on Wednesday said: “We thank God for being among those who survived this attack. What happened in Kanya was that we entered into terrorists’ ambush who opened fire on our entourage that included soldiers as we approach a sharp bend in the town (Kanya) while on our way to Wasagu.

“We escaped the first ambush and entered into the next one close to a hospital where we confronted them in a gun duel that resulted in this casualty.”

The Deputy Governor commended the soldiers, other security personnel and the volunteer vigilante for their gallantry and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.

Police spokesperson ASP Nafiu Abubakar was yet to respond to calls and text messages sent to his number as at the time of filling this report.

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