Latest news with #bandits
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.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Al Arabiya
State-backed militia kills more than 100 Nigerian ‘bandits'
Government-sponsored vigilantes in northwest Nigeria killed more than 100 gang members in a gun battle earlier this week, a local official said late Wednesday. Members of Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), a state-backed militia, stormed the stronghold of Bello Turji, a notorious 'bandit' kingpin, engaging his fighters in hours-long gunfight that left scores dead, said Ahmad Manga, security adviser to the state governor of Zamfara.
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.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Reuters
Gunmen kill 17 soldiers in northern Nigeria attacks
LAGOS, June 25 (Reuters) - 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 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 counterattacks, 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.
