The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 17 soldiers were killed in multiple coordinated attacks by armed bandits on forward operating bases in Niger and Kaduna States, describing the incidents as “a three-pronged attack” targeting troops stationed in vulnerable outposts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the army said the assaults happened between Monday and Tuesday in Bangi community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, and in Aungwan Turai, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the statement, the most brutal confrontation took place on Monday when a large number of armed terrorists, estimated to be about 300, launched a surprise attack on Nigerian troops operating in the Kwanar Dutse forest axis.
“The criminals had attempted a night-time transit towards Kwatankoro Forest, where they were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on surrounding communities or looking for a safe haven to evade the pressure from our operations in Zamfara State,” the army said.
The firefight, which lasted over three hours, was eventually followed by precision airstrikes launched by the Nigerian Air Force, targeting the terrorists’ escape routes. Despite this response, the army said the toll was heavy.
“Regrettably, 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter, while ten others sustained varying degrees of injury,” the statement read.
Anele added that the military could not immediately determine the number of bandit casualties, but noted that “multiple blood trails along their escape routes presumably indicate significant enemy losses.” She confirmed that further clearance operations are underway to pursue the fleeing criminals and to secure nearby communities.
Meanwhile, in another coordinated attack on Tuesday, armed groups struck three forward operating bases at Kwanar Dutse, Mairiga, and Boka in Niger State and also in Aungwan Turai in Kaduna State.
The army described the combined assault as a “three-pronged attack,” but said the troops, supported by air components, launched counterattacks that “neutralised scores of the bandits during fierce engagements.”
Four soldiers were wounded in that operation and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluwafemi Oluyede, has extended his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and ordered that the injured receive the best available medical care.
He also instructed all relevant departments within the Nigerian Army to provide full support to the affected families.
The army used the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign across the country and called on members of the public to “support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing timely information to security agencies.”
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