---
title: "One Of The Scumbags Who Ambushed 4 Green Berets In Niger May Be In Custody"
date: "2018-04-18"
modified: "2018-04-18"
authors:
  - name: "Paul Szoldra"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/niger-attack-isis-custody/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "ISIS"
  - "special operations command"
  - "Terrorism"
---

# One Of The Scumbags Who Ambushed 4 Green Berets In Niger May Be In Custody

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/02/18987912-1.jpg>)

At least one of the suspected attackers that ambushed and killed four American soldiers in Niger in October may be in the custody of the Nigerien military, the Associated Press [reports](<https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/04/17/niger-may-have-arrested-militant-with-ties-to-ambush-on-us-forces/>).

U.S. Ambassador Eric Whitaker told AP the head of Niger's special forces is "hopeful" it's a known extremist leader that was being pursued following the attack.

On Oct. 3, four American soldiers, accompanied by Nigerien troops, were ambushed by ISIS militants outside the village of Tongo Tongo. As helmet camera footage later showed, the soldiers were surrounded with little cover. All four Americans died, along with four Nigerien soldiers and an interpreter.

The Pentagon has conducted an investigation into the incident, which is yet to be released.

The soldiers were said to be on a training and advisory mission in Niger, but on that day were ordered to conduct a hasty raid on a local terrorist leader that was linked to the kidnapping of an American citizen, [according](<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/17/world/africa/niger-ambush-american-soldiers.html?mtrref=www.google.com>) to The New York Times.

The fallen Americans were Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, and Sgt. La David Johnson, 25.

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## Author
Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](<https://www.duffelblog.com/>), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California.

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