Late Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu
How General was killed by ISWAP insurgents – Army, as Buhari commiserates with families of slain soldiers
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, has provided a brief on circumstances which led to the death of one its Generals alongside three other soldiers during same day’s attack by insurgents of the Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
This is just as President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the families of the soldiers killed in the ambush by ISWAP insurgents in Borno, during the Saturday attack on a military base in the Askira/Uba council of Borno.
It would be recalled that ISWAP insurgents had reportedly ambushed a unit of the Army responding to a distress call from a base in the Askira council, killing Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers in the troop.
“Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI have neutralized several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a recent encounter in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“In the fierce encounter which is still raging as at the time of filling this report, troops supported by the Air Component of OPHK have deployed five A – Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine Gun Trucks and One APC.
“Sadly, a gallant senior officer Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare diplay of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location.
“The family of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted.
“Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. He has also directed that the troops continue in the ferocious counter offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Saturday, President Buhari, in a statement, commiserated with the families of the deceased soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
“I am extremely saddened to hear of the demise of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice, in a very rare display of gallantry, as they tried to help their compatriots in the war against terrorists.
“Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls Rest In Peace. General Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated. The soldier in him will remain immortal.
“I have asked the Chief of Army Staff to accept my heartfelt condolences and that of the nation, and to convey same to the members of the families of those martyred.
“I pray to the Almighty to give the Armed Forces and the bereaved families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss,” the President’s message read.
