Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to soldiers who died in a reported helicopter crash while on an evacuation mission in Niger state on Monday.

The president said the “tragic loss of our officers and soldiers” had “brought immense sadness to me”.

In a statement, he said they would be remembered as “courageous men who did not consider the perils and dangers of their national duty as paramount to their sacred mandate of ensuring that their fellow countrymen and women can live in peace”.

The helicopter had been on a mission to evacuate soldiers following an ambush in the area where the army has been fighting armed groups.

Several soldiers were reportedly killed in the attack.

Armed gangs are common across central and northern Nigeria where they rob and kidnap for ransom.