LAGOS, June 26 — At least 17 Nigerian soldiers were killed and four others injured when gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three army bases in northern Nigeria, officials and security sources confirmed on Wednesday. The assaults mark the latest in a wave of deadly violence plaguing the country’s northwestern and central regions.
The attacks occurred on Tuesday in Niger and Kaduna States, where heavily armed groups, locally known as bandits, have intensified operations targeting civilians and security forces alike. These gangs are often involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and village raids, and have increasingly turned their focus to military installations.
According to two security sources and Abbas Kasuwar Garba, the chairman of the Mariga local government area in Niger State, the deadliest assault took place at the army’s forward operating base in Kwanar Dutse Mariga, where all 17 fatalities occurred. Additional attacks were also reported at nearby Boka in Niger State and across the border in Kaduna State.
“It was an ambush. They (gunmen) came from nowhere and used heavy ammunition to attack,” said a senior army officer stationed in Niger, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our men fought bravely for hours before reinforcements arrived.”
The Nigerian Army acknowledged the attacks in a brief statement but refrained from offering full casualty details. “Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles,” the statement said. “Four troops wounded in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds.”
The army added that it launched counterattacks in response, killing “several terrorists,” though it did not provide figures or specify the identities of the assailants.
Local authorities and military sources believe the attacks may have been carried out by a bandit group with ties to extremist factions operating in the region. Niger State has been a known hotspot for both criminal gangs and jihadist elements, including remnants of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In recent years, the region has seen a surge in deadly ambushes targeting soldiers. The terrain — a mix of thick forests and rocky outcrops — offers natural cover for insurgents, complicating military operations.
Security analysts warn that the rising number of attacks on security personnel indicates growing sophistication and confidence among armed groups. “These groups are no longer just ragtag bandits; they have evolved tactically and now pose a serious threat to state authority,” said Nnamdi Obasi, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.
The incident underscores the mounting pressure on Nigeria’s overstretched military, which is battling on multiple fronts — including jihadist insurgencies in the northeast, separatist agitations in the southeast, and rampant criminal violence in the northwest.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has vowed to restore order, but progress has been slow amid resource limitations, political complications, and a growing humanitarian crisis.
As of Wednesday, military operations were ongoing in the affected areas. Authorities have yet to release the names of the fallen soldiers, pending notification of their families.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
