Deadly Ambush: About 20 Soldiers Killed in Bandit Attack on Military Camp in Niger State

Deadly Ambush: About 20 Soldiers Killed in Bandit Attack on Military Camp in Niger State

Tragedy struck in Niger State as about 20 soldiers were reportedly killed following a brutal attack by suspected bandits on a military camp in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the Allawa area of Shiroro Local Government, a region long plagued by armed banditry and insurgent activities. According to local sources, the heavily armed assailants stormed the camp in large numbers, catching the troops off guard and unleashing heavy gunfire.

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Eyewitnesses said the bandits, believed to be affiliated with a notorious gang operating in the North Central region, overpowered the soldiers using sophisticated weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns.

One source who spoke under anonymity said, “It was a coordinated and fierce assault. They came from different directions and launched a surprise attack. The soldiers tried to resist, but they were outnumbered and outgunned.”

Initial reports suggest that at least 20 military personnel were killed in the ambush, while several others sustained injuries. Some soldiers are reportedly still missing, and reinforcements have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests in a search-and-rescue effort.

The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement, but military helicopters and security convoys were seen moving toward the area later in the day, indicating a possible retaliatory operation.

Residents of nearby communities, already traumatized by recurring attacks, are now fleeing in fear of further violence. “We don’t feel safe anymore,” said a displaced villager. “The bandits are growing bolder by the day.”

This attack marks one of the deadliest assaults on military personnel in recent months and underscores the rising threat of non-state armed groups across parts of northern Nigeria.

Security experts say the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need to re-strategize Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations and boost the morale and resources of frontline soldiers battling insurgency and banditry.