20 Soldiers Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks on Army Bases in Niger and Kaduna

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that at least 20 soldiers were killed and several others injured following a coordinated ambush by armed bandits on military bases in Niger and Kaduna States on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

In an official statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, the Army revealed that forward operating bases in Kwanar Dutse (Mariga LGA) and Boka, both in Niger State, as well as Aungwan Turai (Chikun LGA) in Kaduna State, came under simultaneous attack in what it described as a “three-pronged” offensive.

“On 24 June 2025, forward operating bases in the general areas of Kwanar Dutse, Mairiga and Boka in Niger State, and Aungwan Turai in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, were attacked by bandits,” the statement read.

While the Army disclosed that “scores of bandits” were eliminated in a combined effort by land and air forces, it also confirmed that the attack in Kwanar Dutse resulted in the death of 20 personnel, with four others wounded and currently receiving medical attention.

Security sources indicate that the ambush was highly coordinated, suggesting a growing sophistication among armed criminal groups operating in north-central Nigeria. The region has long struggled with banditry, kidnapping, and violent raids, particularly in communities near forested zones where many of the criminal gangs are believed to operate.

Tuesday’s attack marks one of the deadliest assaults on Nigerian military formations in recent months, prompting renewed concerns over the safety of frontline troops and the overall security situation in Niger and Kaduna states.

No civilian casualties have been officially reported, but residents of surrounding communities said the gun battles and aerial operations caused widespread panic.

The Nigerian Army assured the public that operations to track and neutralize the attackers are ongoing, adding that the troops remain committed to restoring peace in the affected areas.

As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State government has not issued an official statement on the incident. Calls for enhanced security deployment and tactical reassessment are mounting across the region.