The Nigerian Army has announced that five soldiers lost their lives after being attacked by terrorists in Zamfara State. The attack happened along the Lilo–Kotorkoshi road in Gusau Local Government Area.
The soldiers were on duty on Monday, escorting traders who were on their way to Gusau market, when terrorists ambushed them. According to earlier reports, five soldiers were killed in the attack, but the troops also fought back and killed several of the bandits.
On Thursday evening, the Army’s spokesperson in Zamfara State, Captain David Adewusi, gave more details about the incident. He explained that the soldiers from the 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base in Lilo village were carrying out a patrol around the Lilo–Kofi area when they suddenly came under heavy gunfire from the terrorists.
The soldiers immediately engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle. During the fight, six terrorists were killed and the rest ran away in confusion. Unfortunately, three soldiers died on the spot, while two others who were seriously injured later passed away from their wounds.
Captain Adewusi added that the ambush was not an isolated event but part of the wider military operations currently going on in Zamfara and Sokoto states. He noted that the Nigerian Army has been recording major successes in the fight against terrorism and banditry in the North West.
He explained that between September 8 and 10, the troops intercepted terrorists trying to move money and supplies. They seized over 20 million naira, which was identified as ransom money, and also recovered more than 160 stolen livestock. In the process, several terrorists were killed during different operations across Shinkafi, Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Tureta Local Government Areas.
According to him, the operation started with carefully planned attacks along the Shinkafi–Katuru–Galadi–Tubali route, where soldiers stormed terrorists’ camps hidden in forests. Many of the criminals ran away with injuries.
He further explained that during a stop-and-search exercise at Katuru Bridge, the troops caught three suspects carrying 8.7 million naira. Later that same day, they arrested two more suspects traveling in a black Toyota Corolla with 14 million naira inside. Investigations showed that the money was ransom collected from families of people kidnapped near Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic. The suspects and the money have now been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
In another successful mission, the soldiers ambushed terrorists who had stolen livestock from Talata Mafara and Tureta areas. The criminals tried to escape with the animals to forests in Bagega and Furagirke, but they were stopped by the troops. The soldiers rescued eight kidnapped people and recovered 21 sheep in Anka, while another 143 stolen sheep were recovered in Tureta. The freed victims have since been reunited with their families, and the recovered animals were returned to the local government chairmen of Bakura and Tureta.
Captain Adewusi assured the public that the Nigerian Army will continue its operations until terrorism and banditry are completely wiped out. He appealed to citizens to assist security forces by giving them useful and timely information, stressing that everyone has a role to play in restoring peace in the North West and parts of the North Central region of the country.
