The Nigerian Army has disputed the casualty figure of brave soldiers who paid the ultimate price during a bloody encounter with terrorists in Niger State, stating that 17 soldiers, and not 20 as reported in certain quarters, paid the supreme price during the counter-insurgency operations.

The Service, however, said that troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force, successfully thwarted an attempted incursion by terrorists into the Bangi community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement signed by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, regretted that 17 brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the encounter, while ten others sustained varying degrees of injury. The wounded personnel, she said, have been evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluwafemi Oluyede, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our great country, Nigeria. The Chief of Army Staff also directed the military medical teams to ensure the best possible care for the injured troops.

“In a deliberate joint operation, troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force, successfully thwarted an attempted incursion by terrorists into the Bangi community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on 24 June 2025.” The operation, which was based on credible intelligence, she said, led to troops engaging about 300 armed bandits in Kwanar Dutse Forest,” she said.

Anele stated that the criminals had attempted a nighttime transit towards Kwatankoro Forest, where they were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on surrounding communities or looking for a safe haven to evade the pressure from military operations in Zamfara State.

 She stressed that their movement and actions were effectively disrupted by troops who engaged them in a fierce firefight that lasted over three hours.

According to her, “Sequel to the ground engagement by the Nigerian Army troops, the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, delivering accurate heavy bombardments on identified terrorists’ locations. Although the exact number of casualties could not be ascertained, multiple blood trails along their escape routes presumably indicate significant enemy losses. Further operation is ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the damage inflicted on the terrorists.”

She noted that the relevant Nigerian Army departments have also been tasked by the COAS to engage with the families of all the gallant warriors who have undoubtedly performed their duty most admirably.

The Nigerian Army, she said, remains resolute in its mission to secure all communities and protect the lives and property of all our citizens across the nation.

She said, “The sanctity of our freedom shall not be mortgaged, and the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies, and, of course, the great people of our nation, will continue to work tirelessly to see an end to terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality plaguing our society. Members of the public are hereby encouraged to continue to support the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing timely information to security agencies by any means possible.”

Linus Aleke

Follow us on: