Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said in a Statement on Wednesday that the troops had launched out swiftly on receiving a distress call that Tati community was under attack and razed by suspected bandits.
Nwachukwu said, 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", Nwachukwu stated.
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.
Troops are currently in pursuit of the bandits and will leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing personnel.
The Nigerian Army therefore he good people of Taraba state are enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.