Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A security operation in Sokoto State turned tragic last night when two Nigerian soldiers were killed and another injured after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) along the road between Tidibale and Gidan Kara in Isa Local Government Area. The troops were on a reinforcement mission to Tagirke community in neighbouring Sabon Birni Local Government Area, following a bandit attack, when the explosion occurred.
According to military sources, the troops were responding to distress calls from residents of Tagirke community, which had come under attack by armed bandits. As the soldiers advanced toward the embattled village, their vehicle ran over the explosive device, which had been planted along the route. The blast claimed the lives of two soldiers and left a third with injuries.
The injured soldier has been evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. No official statement has been issued by the military authorities regarding the incident at the time of this report.
The attack underscores the growing threat of IEDs being used by bandit groups in the North-West. Notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has previously been linked to similar attacks, including a June 20 incident in which three soldiers were killed after their vehicle struck an IED along the Isa–Bargaja road. In that case, troops were also responding to a bandit attack on a community. Turji later released a video claiming responsibility and gloating over the deaths.
Isa LGA lies along the Kamuku-Kuyambana forest belt, which stretches into Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The area has witnessed persistent bandit activities over the years and is known to harbour armed groups linked to Turji. The road between Tidibale and Gidan Kara has become a flashpoint for such attacks, with residents of the Tidibale axis abandoning over 28 villages following relentless attacks and threats from bandit groups.
The death of the two soldiers adds to the growing toll of security personnel killed in the line of duty in Nigeria's North-West, where bandits have increasingly turned to landmines and IEDs to target military convoys. In recent weeks, multiple incidents have been reported, including an attack on June 21 that claimed the lives of four soldiers along the Bargaja road in Isa LGA.
The military has intensified operations across Sokoto and Zamfara states to dismantle bandit camps and restore security to vulnerable communities. However, the use of IEDs by criminal groups has complicated these efforts, forcing troops to contend with hidden explosives in addition to direct firefights.
Residents and security officials have called for improved patrol equipment and mine-detection technology to reduce casualties among security personnel operating in the region. The Sokoto State Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting security agencies in the fight against insecurity, with Deputy Governor Idris Muhammad Gobir recently pledging continued support to troops battling banditry in the North-West.
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