Niger : Tragedy as bandits kill 20 soldiers in deadly ambush on military base

In a devastating incident that underscores the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central region, at least 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in a brutal attack by armed bandits on a military camp near Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, as the soldiers were caught off guard by the heavily armed assailants.

According to security sources cited by SaharaReporters, the bandits launched a coordinated ambush on the camp at dawn, initiating a fierce and prolonged gun battle.

Despite the soldiers’ efforts to repel the attackers, the insurgents managed to overrun the base, inflicting significant casualties in the process. The sheer firepower and element of surprise reportedly left the troops vulnerable, leading to the tragic loss of lives.

“Today, about 20 soldiers were killed by armed bandits near Bangi, Mariga LGA of Niger State in an early morning attack on their camp,” one military insider confirmed.

Details surrounding the incident are still coming in, but preliminary accounts suggest several others sustained injuries during the onslaught.

Photographs of the slain soldiers reportedly obtained by SaharaReporters depict the extent of the tragedy.

The incident has heightened fears about the worsening security situation in Niger State, where communities continue to face brutal assaults by bandit groups operating unchecked.

Sources also disclosed that terrified residents in nearby areas have started fleeing their homes, fearing further attacks. As at press time, the Nigerian Army was yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack.

On June 24, 2025, Platinumpost reported an unconfirmed number of military casualties while troops tried to fend off another bandit ambush along a highway in Zamfara State.

Among the casualties in that incident was an officer, identified as Lieutenant Isma’il Yahya.

In a related attack, terrorists reportedly invaded Tofa village in Magami district of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara State, killing over 15 people.

The village, situated near the state capital, Gusau, has faced continuous attacks and extortion from criminal gangs, forcing most of its residents to flee due to fear and a lack of security.

A resident speaking anonymously recounted, “The bandits on Sunday attacked the community; they ambushed the troops and killed many of them.”

“Families of the soldiers have been informed, but the army has kept quiet on the incident. In Tofa, over 15 people were massacred, many others injured, and some missing.”

(SaharaReporters)