Nigeria’s military reported that six soldiers lost their lives in an ambush in the central region of the country on Friday, amid ongoing battles against armed criminal groups. The incident occurred during a “fighting patrol” in Shiroro district, Niger state, resulting in a confrontation between the troops and assailants.
According to a statement released on Sunday, two additional soldiers sustained injuries during the attack. Shiroro, primarily rural, is recognized as a stronghold of bandit leader Dogo Gide, who has established ties with jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State.
Nigeria’s military has been engaged in combating criminal gangs in the area, notorious for raiding villages, perpetrating violence including killings and abductions for ransom, as well as looting and destruction of property. While driven by financial motives, concerns have arisen among officials and analysts regarding their increasing alignment with jihadists, who have been conducting an insurgency in the northeast for over a decade.
The army has disclosed that its forces are currently pursuing the assailants who managed to escape, following the elimination of several gang members and the capture of their equipment by soldiers.
