The Nigerian Army on Friday said three soldiers and seven civillians died in a clash between soldiers and some residents of Kpaidna community in Niger.

According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Njideka Agwu, 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna, the incident occurred at 2.00 a.m. on Friday during a search operation in the community located in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “The 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Minna, was on a joint operation with the Nigeria Air Force Quick Response Group in the area when we were attacked by the villagers.

“We were on a cordon and search operation in the village because we got intelligence report that there were caches of arms and ammunitions in the area.

“During the operation, three soldiers and seven civilians lost their lives, while 57 villagers were arrested by the joint operation.’’

Agwu said that arms and ammunition were discovered during the operation which was still ongoing.

She said, “Trouble started when some of the villagers denied the military access to their houses to enable soldiers search for arms and ammunition believed to be stockpiled there.

“During the clash, six operation vehicles belonging to the army were destroyed by the villagers; four were set ablaze while two were vandalised.’’

DSP Bala Elkanah, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the incident which he described as “purely military matter.’’

He said, “It was purely a military operation. We (police) were not involved.”

Azeez