Approximately 20 Nigerian soldiers were killed during a deadly attack by armed bandits on a military base in Niger State, according to local sources and reporting by Sahara Reporters.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, June 24, 2025, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, a region that has seen repeated violence in recent years due to escalating insecurity.
The attack targeted a military base located in the Allawa community, a known flashpoint in Niger State, which has been plagued by banditry and insurgent activities. Armed assailants, believed to be part of a larger network of criminal gangs operating in north-central Nigeria, launched a coordinated assault on the camp.
According to security sources and residents in the area, the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, a common mode of transportation for bandits in the region.
The soldiers at the base reportedly put up stiff resistance during the confrontation, which lasted for several hours. Despite the resistance, the bandits managed to overpower the troops using superior numbers and heavy firepower. Sources say the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, contributing to the high number of military casualties.
Local sources told Sahara Reporters that the bodies of approximately 20 soldiers were recovered after the attack. Some of the soldiers were reported to have died on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries shortly afterward. In addition to those killed, an unspecified number of military personnel were reportedly injured during the assault.
The Nigerian military has yet to issue an official statement confirming the number of casualties or providing specific details of the incident. However, sources within the army have acknowledged that the attack took place and that it resulted in significant losses.
Residents of the Allawa community and surrounding villages have expressed fear and concern over the growing boldness of bandit groups in the region. They said that Monday’s attack is one of the deadliest in recent memory and highlights the continuing threat posed by armed gangs in Niger State.
Shiroro and other parts of Niger State have witnessed repeated attacks on villages, security formations, and critical infrastructure in recent years. Bandits have routinely targeted military outposts, abducted civilians for ransom, and disrupted agricultural activities, worsening the humanitarian situation in the region.
Security analysts say the incident underscores the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions. Despite efforts by federal and state governments to curb the violence, including military operations and peace initiatives, the attacks have continued unabated.
In the wake of the deadly assault, calls have intensified for the Nigerian government to reassess its security strategy. Many critics argue that the armed forces are overstretched and under-equipped to handle the scale and sophistication of the threats posed by non-state actors in the region.
The attack in Allawa also raises renewed questions about the morale and safety of Nigerian troops deployed to remote and vulnerable areas. The apparent ability of the bandits to carry out such a coordinated and lethal attack has led to concerns about intelligence failures and lapses in operational preparedness.
As of Tuesday morning, June 25, the Nigerian military was reportedly conducting search-and-rescue operations in the area, as well as combing the nearby forests for the attackers. It remains unclear whether any arrests or counterstrikes have been made in response to the assault.
The identities of the slain soldiers have not yet been made public, as efforts are ongoing to notify their families. Authorities have promised a full investigation into the incident and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, similar promises in the past have yielded few tangible results, further fueling public frustration.
The attack adds to a growing list of security incidents across Nigeria, where violence from armed groups, bandits, and insurgents continues to threaten national stability and public confidence in government institutions.
