Seventeen Nigerian soldiers were killed in a gun battle with bandits in Niger State in Northern Nigeria, reports said on Thursday.
The statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, and posted on its X, confirmed that it lost 17 soldiers.
“In a deliberate joint operation, troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force, successfully thwarted an attempted incursion by terrorists into Bangi community in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on 24 June 2025.
“The operation, which was based on credible intelligence, led to troops engaging about 300 armed bandits in Kwanar Dutse Forest. The criminals had attempted a night-time transit towards Kwatankoro Forest, where they were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on surrounding communities or looking for a safe haven to evade the pressure from our operations in Zamfara State.”
“However, their movement and actions were effectively disrupted by troops who engaged them in a fierce firefight that lasted over three hours.
“Regrettably, 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter, while 10 others sustained varying degrees of injury. The wounded personnel have been evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and are in stable condition,” the statement added.
GIK/APA