Latest news with #NigerState
News24
a day ago
- News24
Soldiers killed in bandit attacks on Nigerian Army bases
At least 17 soldiers were killed when armed gangs attacked three of the army's forward operating bases in central and northwestern Nigeria. In what appeared to be a coordinated assault, the gangs, commonly referred to locally as bandits, attacked bases on Tuesday in the states of Niger and Kaduna. The attackers engaged troops in prolonged firefights lasting several hours. 'Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four troops wounded in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,' the army said in a statement on Wednesday. One officer told the AFP news agency, 'bandits attacked the camp while others laid ambush on soldiers outside.' Nigerian Army launched counteroffensive The Nigerian Army confirmed the attacks and said it had launched counteroffensives in coordination with the Nigerian Air Force, which resulted in 'significant enemy losses'. Armed groups operating in the northwest are known for mass kidnappings for ransom and frequent attacks on security personnel. They maintain camps in a vast forest that spans parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in the northwest, as well as Niger state in the central region. In addition to fighting armed gangs, the Nigerian military continues to face persistent threats from Boko Haram and 'Islamic State'-affiliated groups operating in the region. Earlier in June, gunmen killed scores of people in Benue state. Amnesty International Nigeria said that at least 100 people were killed, and police later reported that 26 suspects were arrested in connection with the attack.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Gunmen kill 17 soldiers in northern Nigeria attacks
Armed gangs in Nigeria, known locally as bandits, typically target security forces. (EPA Images pic) LAGOS : At least 17 soldiers were killed in northern Nigeria when gunmen stormed three army bases, security sources and a local official said today, the latest assault in a region plagued by violence. Armed gangs operating in the northwest, known locally as bandits, typically engage in kidnapping for ransom and target security forces. The Nigerian army confirmed the attacks yesterday but did not provide details. 'Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four troops wounded in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,' the army said in a statement. Two security sources said gunmen launched surprise attacks on the army's forward operating bases in the Kwanar Dutse Mariga and Boka areas in Niger state and another base in neighbouring Kaduna state, battling troops for several hours. The sources and Abbas Kasuwar Garba, chairman for Mariga district, said all 17 fatalities were at the Kwanar Dutse Mariga base. 'It was an ambush. They (gunmen) came from nowhere and used heavy ammunition to attack,' said a Niger-based army officer. The Nigerian army said it launched counter-attacks, killing several gunmen. Insecurity has stretched Nigeria's military, as it confronts armed gangs alongside Islamist groups Boko Haram and an Islamic State affiliate in the northeast. Niger state has witnessed ambushes against military personnel, with Boko Haram fighters known to operate there.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Gunmen kill 17 soldiers in northern Nigeria attacks
LAGOS: At least 17 soldiers were killed in northern Nigeria when gunmen stormed three army bases, security sources and a local official said on Wednesday, the latest assault in a region plagued by violence. Armed gangs operating in the northwest, known locally as bandits, typically engage in kidnapping for ransom and target security forces. The Nigerian Army confirmed the attacks on Tuesday but did not provide details. 'Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four troops wounded in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,' the army said in a statement. Two security sources said gunmen launched surprise attacks on the army's forward operating bases in the Kwanar Dutse Mariga and Boka areas in Niger State and another base in neighboring Kaduna State, battling troops for several hours. The sources and Abbas Kasuwar Garba, chairman for Mariga district, said all 17 fatalities were at the Kwanar Dutse Mariga base. 'It was an ambush. They (gunmen) came from nowhere and used heavy ammunition to attack,' said a Niger-based army officer. The Nigerian Army said it launched counterattacks, killing several gunmen. Insecurity has stretched Nigeria's military, as it confronts armed gangs alongside militant groups Boko Haram and a Daesh affiliate in the northeast. Niger State has witnessed ambushes against military personnel, with Boko Haram fighters known to operate there.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Washington Post
Nigeria says gunmen kill at least 14 soldiers in clashes in the troubled north
ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 14 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in clashes with hundreds of gunmen in north-central Niger State, an army spokesman said Wednesday. More than 300 gunmen were planning to attack villages from their forest enclave in the Mariga council area on Tuesday when the military conducted 'precision strikes' and deployed soldiers to engage them, according to army spokesperson Appolonia Anele. Ten other soldiers were wounded, Anele said. The operation resulted in 'significant enemy losses,' the army added. Armed gangs have been terrorizing communities across northern Nigeria, many of them former pastoralists caught up in decades-long conflict with farming communities. Nigeria's army said the latest clash involved gangs operating out of the notorious Kwanar Dutse Forest, one of several abandoned reserves used as hideouts in the troubled region.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Associated Press
Nigeria says gunmen kill at least 14 soldiers in clashes in the troubled north
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least 14 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in clashes with hundreds of gunmen in north-central Niger State, an army spokesman said Wednesday. More than 300 gunmen were planning to attack villages from their forest enclave in the Mariga council area on Tuesday when the military conducted 'precision strikes' and deployed soldiers to engage them, according to army spokesperson Appolonia Anele. Ten other soldiers were wounded, Anele said. The operation resulted in 'significant enemy losses,' the army added. Armed gangs have been terrorizing communities across northern Nigeria, many of them former pastoralists caught up in decades-long conflict with farming communities. Nigeria's army said the latest clash involved gangs operating out of the notorious Kwanar Dutse Forest, one of several abandoned reserves used as hideouts in the troubled region.
