In a tragic escalation of violence in Nigeria’s North-Central region, about 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in the early hours of Tuesday during a fierce attack by armed bandits on a military camp near Bangi, in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The deadly ambush, which occurred around dawn on June 24, 2025, saw the heavily armed assailants overrun the camp after a sustained gun battle.
Sources within the security forces told SaharaReporters that the bandits launched a surprise assault.
“Today, about 20 soldiers were killed by armed bandits near Bangi, Mariga LGA of Niger State in an early morning attack on their camp,” a source close to the military told SaharaReporters.
Details surrounding the attack are still emerging, but preliminary reports indicate that several soldiers were also injured.
SaharaReporters obtained photographs of the soldiers who were killed during the clash.
The incident has sparked renewed fears over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Niger State, where communities have repeatedly come under attack from bandit groups operating with alarming audacity.
Sources told SaharaReporters that residents of the area are fleeing out of fear of further attacks.
As of press time, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that an unconfirmed number of military personnel had been killed while attempting to repel a bandit attack along a highway in Zamfara State.
Sources revealed that among the casualties was an officer, Lieutenant Isma’il Yahya.
In a separate but related incident, terrorists stormed Tofa village, where they reportedly killed more than 15 residents.
Tofa community, situated in Magami district of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara, has been devastated by repeated bandit attacks.
Located near Gusau, the state capital, the village has reportedly been abandoned by most of its residents, unable to pay the levies imposed by bandits and left without sufficient security protection.
“The bandits on Sunday attacked the community; they ambushed the troops and killed many of them. The families of the dead soldiers have been informed, but the army has been silent on the incident.
“In Tofa, over 15 people were massacred, many others were injured, and some were nowhere to be found,” a source said.
