IED Kills Two Soldiers, Injures Several In Sokoto Ambush As Troops Responded To Bandit Attack

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

At least two soldiers have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a military vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Isa–Bargaja road in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while responding to a distress call from residents following an overnight bandit attack on the Bargaja community.

Residents told Daily Trust that armed bandits invaded the village between 12:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., shooting sporadically and forcing villagers to flee and seek military intervention. According to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, the attackers had pre‑emptively planted the explosive device along the route before the arrival of the troops. “They were on their way to rescue us when the vehicle hit the explosive. Many soldiers were affected. One of the soldiers involved in the incident later ran into our village seeking help after the explosion,” he said, adding that the injured soldier sustained serious injuries to his leg.

The resident expressed concern over the increasing use of IEDs by bandits in the area. “We have seen the bodies of two soldiers, but we cannot say whether there were more casualties,” he said. Another source claimed that three soldiers, including a driver, lost their lives in the attack, adding that one of the victims was severely affected by the explosion. The remains of the deceased personnel were later evacuated to Sokoto.

A separate source familiar with the developments alleged that the troops came under a coordinated ambush. According to the source, the attackers allowed an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) leading the convoy to pass before targeting a Hilux vehicle behind it with gunfire and an explosive device. “The APC was at the front and was allowed to pass. The attackers then opened fire and detonated an explosive device targeting the Hilux behind it,” the source alleged. Residents reported hearing consistent gunfire throughout the night, creating tension across the area. Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the military and the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful as of Sunday, June 21, 2026.

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