At least 17 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in a fierce confrontation with armed bandits in Niger State’s Mariga Local Government Area.
The clash, which erupted late Tuesday night near Bangi, followed credible intelligence that hundreds of gunmen were advancing through a known criminal corridor. Troops reportedly ambushed the assailants, triggering a gun battle lasting more than three hours.
Local authorities confirmed the attacks occurred at two locations—Gulunbi Boka and Kwanar Dutse Kaiyan Ghana.
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The Nigerian Army, in a statement posted on X, said its forces—backed by aerial support—intercepted around 300 bandits attempting to move toward Kwatankoro Forest, possibly to evade pressure from operations in Zamfara.
Seventeen soldiers were confirmed dead, and ten others wounded. The injured are receiving treatment at a military facility.
Chairman of Mariga LGA, Abbas Kasuwa Garba, praised the military response and urged residents to remain calm, as search efforts continue in surrounding forests.
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