Late Friday night, in the communities of Roro, Karaga, and Rumace within the Bassa Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, bandits launched a surprise attack.
This assault resulted in the tragic death of six soldiers.
During the incident, a captain was reportedly kidnapped. The soldiers, who were stationed at Allawa and Erena camps, were responding to an emergency call when they were ambushed by the armed bandits in Roro village.
In addition to the soldiers, the bandits also claimed the lives of a hunter and two farmers. They further caused destruction by setting fire to houses, food storage facilities, and motorcycles.
This incident follows a similar tragedy that occurred on March 14, where 17 high-ranking military officers, including 13 soldiers, two majors, and a captain from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, were killed. They were on a peacekeeping mission to resolve community disputes when they were attacked by suspected residents of the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The military had also reported last year that an ambush by bandits on August 13 in Niger State resulted in the death of three officers and 22 soldiers.
Residents who witnessed the recent attack on soldiers reported that the incident began around 9pm on Friday and continued for several hours. “Six soldiers and one volunteer hunter lost their lives,” said one resident.
Mustapha Bassa, another local, reported that the bandits, who were on motorcycles, fired their weapons indiscriminately as they invaded the communities.
The Military High Command has yet to comment on the incident.
