An ambush by armed bandits on a military base near Kwanan Dutse in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State left around 20 soldiers dead on Tuesday morning.
According to a security source based in neighbouring Shiroro LGA, who received updates from colleagues, the assailants launched a surprise attack on the army camp, leading to a deadly shootout. Several other soldiers were reportedly injured during the confrontation, and the remains of those killed have been taken to a hospital.
Neither the Nigerian Army nor the state government has released an official statement on the incident. At the time of reporting, attempts to reach Army spokesperson Onyechi Anele and Niger State’s Commissioner for Homeland Security, Abdullahi Garba, had not yielded any response.
The assault occurred on the same day as two other violent incidents in the region. In Zamfara State, approximately 15 residents of Tofa village in the Magami district of Gusau Local Government Area were killed in a separate bandit attack. Meanwhile, a deadly clash involving security forces and the notorious gang led by Bello Turji near Cida village in Sokoto State’s Shinkafi LGA resulted in over 100 fatalities.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the Mariga ambush, the affected area is known to be influenced by the Dogo Gide faction and remnants of the late Ali Kawaje’s network.
Niger State, like several others in northern Nigeria, faces persistent threats from armed groups. These groups often target civilians, military personnel, and local miners, and are involved in kidnapping, cattle theft, and gender-based violence. Among them is a faction of Boko Haram led by Mallam Sadiku, which continues to pose a serious security challenge in the region.