Seventeen Nigerian soldiers have been killed in a deadly clash with suspected bandits in Niger State, the Nigerian Army confirmed. The gun battle erupted overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24–25, near Bangi Community in the Mariga Local Government Area.

The soldiers were deployed following intelligence reports that armed groups were advancing toward the area, which has long been a hotspot for criminal activities such as kidnappings and cattle rustling.

Military sources say the confrontation was intense, with several casualties on both sides, though exact details remain sketchy.

This latest attack underscores the growing security challenges in Nigeria’s northcentral region and the enormous risks faced by troops battling criminal networks.