12th May, 2022
Lieutenant Colonel Ememike S. Okore (N/11717) has been identified as the army commanding officer missing in action after engaging terrorists in Taraba on Tuesday.
The missing Nigerian soldier was identified by Sahara Reporters.
Lt. Col. Okore was declared missing after Nigerian troops fell into an ambush laid by terrorists.
6 of the troops were also killed during the ambush.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the kidnapping and also the death of the 6 officers.
Those killed were Dauda Tata (7NA/44/4046), Yusuf Salihu (95NA/40/5031), Ndubuise Okonkwo (96NA/42/6911), Abdullahi Ibrahim (13NA/70/7901), Emmanuel Jerry (14NA/72/14051) and Sani Isa (14NA/72/15462).
The Army however confirmed that an operation has now been launched to rescue Okore.
A statement signed by Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu on Thursday reads in part:
“Troops of 93 Battalion have launched out, on a search and rescue mission for personnel who is missing in action while responding to a distress call of an attack on Tati community, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State in the early hours of Tuesday 10 May 2022.
“The troops had launched out swiftly on receiving a distress call that Tati community was under attack and razed by suspected bandits. 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 firefight, six gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while one personnel is missing in action.”