The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed that 17 soldiers were killed during a deadly terrorist attack on a military base in Bangi, located in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, approximately 300 heavily armed terrorists from Kwanar Dutse Forest carried out the ambush.
Details of the Attack
"Based on credible intelligence, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce three-hour gun battle, successfully disrupting their movement toward Kwatankoro Forest, where they were believed to be planning coordinated attacks or seeking refuge from ongoing operations in Zamfara State," the statement read.
The military response included precision airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force on the terrorists' escape routes, which reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. While the exact number of terrorists killed remains unconfirmed, the Army noted that "multiple blood trails along their escape routes presumably indicate significant enemy losses."
"Regrettably, seventeen brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter while ten others sustained varying degrees of injury. The wounded have been evacuated to a military medical facility and are currently in stable condition," the Army spokesperson added.
Military Response
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluwafemi Oluyede, has extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, praising their sacrifice in defense of the nation. He has also directed that the best possible medical care be provided to the injured soldiers.
This attack comes amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria's north-central region, where armed groups have increasingly targeted both civilian communities and security installations.
The confirmation from the Army follows initial reports that circulated online a day earlier, which had suggested that as many as 20 troops might have been killed in the surprise attack.
Security analysts note that the Bangi attack represents one of the deadliest single incidents targeting Nigerian military personnel in recent months, highlighting the persistent threat posed by non-state armed groups operating across multiple states in northern Nigeria.
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