A wave of sorrow and outrage has swept through Niger State and beyond after a devastating attack by suspected bandits claimed the lives of a Nigerian Army Lieutenant, 20 soldiers, and several civilians in the early hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2025.
The ambush, which took place near a remote military outpost in Shiroro Local Government Area, is being described as one of the most brazen and deadly assaults on Nigeria’s security forces in recent times.
According to military sources, the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons and in overwhelming numbers, stormed the camp under the cover of darkness. The soldiers, led by a young Lieutenant whose name has yet to be released, fought valiantly in a firefight that reportedly lasted for hours.
Sadly, the odds were stacked against them.
Eyewitnesses from nearby communities recounted a terrifying night of sustained gunfire, heavy explosions, and chaos that forced many residents to flee into the bush for safety. Several villagers, caught in the crossfire or directly targeted in the attack, also lost their lives. The exact civilian death toll remains unclear, as recovery efforts continue.
“It was like a war zone,” said one local resident, trembling as he recalled the sound of automatic weapons echoing through the night. “Our people are scared. We don’t know who is next.”
The Nigerian Army, in a statement issued by Brigadier General Musa Danjuma, mourned the loss of its personnel and assured the public that reinforcements have been deployed. “This cowardly attack will not go unanswered,” he said. “Our troops are already on the move, and we will pursue these criminals with every available resource.”
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State also expressed deep grief, calling the attack a “national tragedy” that highlights the worsening insecurity plaguing parts of the North Central region. He urged the federal government to scale up its military offensive and prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities.
“This is heartbreaking,” he said. “Our soldiers died protecting the people. We owe it to them—and the civilians who died—to end this reign of terror.”
The Shiroro axis has long been a flashpoint of armed violence, with bandits and insurgent elements exploiting its difficult terrain and limited security infrastructure. Tuesday’s attack is a grim reminder that, despite past gains, insecurity in the area remains far from over.
As families mourn their fallen loved ones, and villagers count their losses, the call is growing louder—for justice, for peace, and for an end to the bloodshed.
Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing, and the military has promised to give the fallen heroes a befitting burial. But in the hearts of those left behind, the wounds of this tragedy may take much longer to heal.
