Rabiu M. Hamza
The Nigerian Army on Wednesday, has confirmed that 17 soldiers lost their lives in coordinated bandit attacks on three military bases in Niger and Kaduna States.
Bandits had attacked the forward operating base near Bangi in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State during the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, launched a surprise dawn assault and engaged soldiers in a fierce gun battle before overrunning the base.
Although reports from other sources suggested that at least 20 soldiers were killed, the army officially disclosed that 17 personnel died during the encounter, with ten seriously injured.
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The Army in a post on X earlier noted that the attackers carried out a “three-pronged attack,” targeting three army forward operating bases.
It stated: “On 24 June 2025, forward operating bases in the general areas of Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka Niger State, and Aungwan Turai Chikun LGA in Kaduna State, were attacked by bandits in a three prolonged attack.”
A three-pronged attack, according to military terminology, involves simultaneous strikes from different directions or using multiple tactics to overwhelm the target.
Confirming the casualty figure in a statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, said ground troops confronted about 300 armed bandits attempting a night-time transit towards Kwatankoro Forest.
The army explained: “The operation, which was based on credible intelligence, led to troops engaging about 300 armed bandits in Kwanar Dutse Forest.
“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 haven to evade the pressure from our operations in Zamfara State.
“However, their movement and actions were effectively disrupted by troops who engaged them in a fierce firefight that lasted over three hours.”
Following the ground confrontation, the Nigerian Air Force carried out precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.
It said, “Sequel to the ground engagement by the Nigerian Army troops, the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, delivering accurate heavy bombardments on identified terrorists’ locations.
“Although the exact number of casualties could not be ascertained, multiple blood trails along their escape routes presumably indicate significant enemy losses. Further operations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the damage inflicted on the terrorists.
“Regrettably, 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter, while ten others sustained varying degrees of injury.
“The wounded personnel have been evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.”
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluwafemi Oluyede, extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and directed that injured personnel receive the best medical care.
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