Terrorists captured a number of Malian soldiers in coordinated attacks on military posts in parts of Mali on Saturday, said a security analyst, Brant Philip.
The attacks targeted Malian army positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba, Philip wrote in a series of 𝕏 posts.
He said the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad started the attack.
Philip also said there were unverified reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter plane went down near Gao after it was apparently hit by anti-aircraft fire near Anefis.
“Unconfirmed reports of a Su-24 jet of the Russian Africa Corps down near Anefis after being hit by AA in Gao,” he wrote.
“Now heavy smoke coming from the Gao Air Base,” he added.
The alleged crash could not be independently verified and neither Russian nor Malian authorities had officially confirmed it by the time of reporting.
The Russian Africa Corps was fighting alongside the Malian military to push back the attacks, Philip said.
“The Africa Corps says it is fighting the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive against its positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” he said.
Philip also asserted that the FLA had captured more Malian soldiers at Anefis.
“Don’t say she’s finished because she’s been buried. No, it hasn’t finished,” said the bereaved father.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, while delivering the burial speech, assured the bereaved family that his administration will pursue justice against anybody involved in the murder.
The Governor, Otti, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Chinedu Nwosu, said that the state government would not allow any Abia citizen to be killed in such brutal manner.
The Abia State Government will not sit back and watch our people being subjected to violence. A promising future and life full of talent have been cut short in the most brutal manner.
Governor Otti said, “We also reaffirm the commitment of the state government to continue to support the family throughout this judicial journey until justice is fully served.
The burial attracted large numbers of students of School of Nursing, Umuologho Obowo, who wept profusely as their former colleague’s body was interred.
