The Nigerian Army has confirmed 17 soldiers dead following a gun battle with armed bandits in the Bangi axis of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Thefrontrank gathered that the clash occurred late Tuesday night.
It was part of a coordinated military operation to thwart an incursion by heavily armed criminals into the area.
The Nigerian Army, in a statemen on Wednesday in Abuja by its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, described the confrontation as a “deliberate joint operation” involving ground troops and aerial support from the Nigerian Air Force.
The army said the operation was based on credible intelligence indicating that no fewer than 300 terrorists were advancing towards Bangi through the Kwanar Dutse forest.
The criminals were reportedly in transit toward the Kwatankoro forest, likely seeking to regroup or stage attacks on nearby communities amid sustained military pressure in Zamfara State.
“Troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight that lasted over three hours.
“Regrettably, 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries,” the army said.
The army explained that the injured personnel were evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Garba, said 17 corpses of soldiers were recovered and taken to the Nigerian Army Barracks in Kontagora.
He added that search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing in the forests, involving local vigilante groups and security forces.
