At least 6 killed in ambush targeting Burundian army chief

At least two assailants and three soldiers were killed in an ambush Friday that targeted the convoy of Burundian Army Chief of Staff Major General Prime Niyongabo in the capital Bujumbura.

Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza told a press briefing on Friday that a civilian was also killed by stray bullets while working at the security ministry near the ambush place.

According to him, the ambush took place at about 06:30 a.m. (04:30 GMT) on the road Bujumbura-Rumonge in Kinindo neighborhood near Muha bridge.

"The army chief of staff was unharmed. During the ambush, two assailants were killed and another one was injured and captured. On the military side, we lost three soldiers and six others were injured," said Baratuza.

According to him, five guns of different types were seized from the unidentified gunmen's hands.

The assassination attempt against the Burundian army chief of staff follows the assassination of Lieutenant General Adolphe Nshimirimana, former intelligence chief, in Kamenge neighborhood in the capital Bujumbura on Aug. 2.

Just one day later, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, chief of a local rights group society, escaped an assassination attempt.

On Aug. 15, former army chief of staff Colonel Jean Bikomagu was killed near his home at Kabondo in the capital Bujumbura.

Source: XINHUA