Sgt. La David Johnson, Soldier Killed in Niger, Was Bound and Executed

The body of Sgt. La David Johnson, an army sergeant killed in Niger in the deadliest attack on Americans during President Trump’s tenure, was found with his arms bound and a vicious head wound, which many view as evidence that he was executed.

The Washington Post reports that 23-year-old Adamou Boubacar, a farmer and trader, saw Johnson’s body after an Islamic State-claimed attack that left Johnson and five Nigerien soldiers dead.

Boubacar said he viewed the body Oct. 6, two days after the attack outside the remote Niger village of Tongo Tongo. The Post reports that Boubacar found Johnson’s remains about a mile away from the ambush site, lying face down, the back of his head had been smashed by something. “His two arms were tied behind his back,” he said.

The village chief of Tongo Tongo, Mounkaila Alassane, confirmed the account in a separate interview with the Post.

“The back of his head was a mess, as if they had hit him with something hard, like a hammer,” said Alassane. “They took his shoes. He was wearing only socks.”

As reported earlier by The Root, Johnson’s body was returned to his family 17 days after he was first reported missing in Niger. The military wouldn’t allow his widow, Myeisha Johnson, to see his body, offering the severity of her husband’s body’s condition as the reason.

Read More at The Root