20 Soldiers Killed as Bandits Overrun Military Camp in Niger State — Fears of Escalating Insecurity Grow

In yet another tragic blow to Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, about 20 soldiers were killed in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, when heavily armed bandits launched a surprise attack on a military camp near Bangi, in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

Security sources revealed that the attackers stormed the camp at dawn, catching the soldiers off guard and overrunning the facility after a fierce gun battle.

“About 20 soldiers were killed by armed bandits near Bangi this morning. It was a coordinated assault, and they overpowered the troops,” a source within the security forces told SaharaReporters.

Although the Nigerian Army is yet to release an official statement, images of the slain soldiers have reportedly surfaced, further deepening public anxiety over the worsening security situation in the North-Central state.

Several soldiers were also reported injured in the ambush, while residents of nearby communities have begun fleeing, fearing further attacks.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over the boldness and firepower of bandit groups terrorising rural areas in Niger, Zamfara, and neighbouring states.

In a separate but related development on Tuesday, sources confirmed that an unknown number of soldiers were killed while trying to repel another bandit attack along a highway in Zamfara State. Among the fallen was Lieutenant Isma’il Yahya, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the community of Tofa, located in Magami District of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara State, has again been thrown into mourning after bandits massacred over 15 residents in a brutal attack on Sunday.

Tofa, a village near the Zamfara state capital, has suffered repeated assaults by criminal gangs, with many residents reportedly abandoning their homes after failing to meet the levies imposed by the bandits.

“The bandits attacked Tofa on Sunday. They ambushed troops sent to protect the area and killed many. In the village itself, over 15 people were killed, many others were injured, and some are still missing,” a local source confirmed.

The latest wave of violence has heightened public outrage and fears of further deterioration in security across Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions, where rural communities remain vulnerable despite repeated government assurances.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters had not issued formal statements regarding the attacks. However, calls are mounting for the government to intensify efforts to curb the worsening security crisis.