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A fierce wave of violence erupted on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, as soldiers and bandits were killed in Kaduna and parts of Niger State during coordinated assaults on forward operating military bases. The Nigerian Army confirmed that multiple personnel paid the ultimate sacrifice while repelling the large-scale attacks.
The well-coordinated offensive began when armed bandits launched a simultaneous three-pronged assault targeting military bases located in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka in Niger State and Aungwan Turai in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attacks were met with immediate and forceful retaliation by Nigerian troops, engaging the enemy through both ground operations and air support.
Coordinated Attacks Result in Soldiers, Bandits Killed in Kaduna
The Nigerian Army reported that the bandits, suspected to be part of organized criminal networks operating in the region, attempted to overrun the forward operating bases. In response, troops stationed at the affected locations, backed by aerial reconnaissance and firepower, launched multiple counter-offensives.
“On June 24, 2025, forward operating bases in the general areas of Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai, Chikun LGA in Kaduna State, were attacked by bandits in a three-pronged attack,” the Nigerian Army stated via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The ensuing gun battles were intense and prolonged, stretching across several hours as the soldiers held their ground. According to the Army, “scores of bandits were neutralized” during the engagements, although exact numbers have not yet been made public.
However, the victory came at a significant cost. Several Nigerian soldiers were killed in the line of duty while defending their positions and protecting civilians in the area. Additionally, four others sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical treatment.
“Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles,” the Army noted, praising the heroism and dedication of the troops who stood their ground under immense pressure.
Following the deadly clashes, reinforcements were swiftly deployed to the affected areas to stabilize the situation and pursue fleeing bandits. Surveillance drones and air support continued patrolling the area throughout the night to ensure the threat was neutralized and to provide real-time intelligence to ground forces.
In Kaduna State, especially in Chikun LGA, the military has intensified its presence. The area has long been plagued by criminal gangs, often referred to as bandits, who engage in mass kidnappings, extortion, and rural terrorism. Security experts warn that these groups are increasingly coordinated and well-armed, making counter-insurgency efforts more challenging.
The latest attacks underscore the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions, where rural communities and security forces frequently come under fire from heavily armed criminal elements.
While the military succeeded in neutralizing many of the attackers, local reports suggest that residents of nearby communities were terrified as gunfire and explosions rocked the area during the confrontation. Though civilian casualties were not immediately confirmed, community leaders in Aungwan Turai called for increased protection and intelligence-sharing between locals and the military to prevent future incursions.
One resident, speaking anonymously, stated: “We heard gunshots and explosions from early morning till evening. We stayed indoors praying for safety. It’s a miracle more lives weren’t lost.”
The Nigerian government has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the broader implications of the attacks. However, public reaction has been one of mixed emotions—pride in the gallant effort of the military, and frustration at the continued ability of armed groups to launch such coordinated strikes.
Security analysts have urged authorities to increase investment in troop welfare, surveillance technology, and community-based intelligence to stay ahead of bandit operations. The latest incident, where soldiers and bandits were killed in Kaduna, has further amplified calls for improved regional security coordination.
Human rights groups have also raised concerns about the increasing toll these attacks are taking on soldiers, who are often under-equipped and stretched thin across multiple flashpoints nationwide.
The coordinated attacks in Kaduna and Niger states have once again highlighted the escalating threat of banditry and rural insurgency in Nigeria. While the military successfully repelled the attacks and inflicted significant losses on the enemy, the soldiers and bandits killed in Kaduna serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle between state forces and heavily armed criminal groups.
As the nation mourns the fallen soldiers and awaits further updates, questions remain about what more can be done to prevent such incursions in the future—and how to ensure that the sacrifices of these troops lead to lasting peace and security.
Source- Punch
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