3 military officers die after ambush on Nigerian presidential guards

Abuja, July 27 (IANS) Three military officers died in the ambush on the Nigerian Presidential Guards Brigade by suspected extremist militants in Abuja, the capital, sources said on Wednesday.

The Presidential Guards Brigade was on a patrol when they were ambushed overnight Sunday, a spokesman for the guards' brigade, Godfrey Abakpa, told Xinhua via telephone on Tuesday, saying a few military men were wounded in action while responding to the ambush.

On Wednesday, military sources told Xinhua that two officers were gunned down by the attackers who later fled the scene. Another died at a military hospital on Tuesday while being treated for a gunshot injury, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Presidential Guards Brigade, an elite brigade of the army, is responsible for the protection of the Nigerian president and his guests, guarding the president's residence, as well as performing ceremonial duties. It is also responsible for providing security around the Federal Capital Territory.

Abakpa told Xinhua on Tuesday that the troops were ambushed while combing the Kubwa-Bwari road to get rid of criminals who had been threatening the general area.

He said troops will continue to carry out their patrol of the area despite the attack.