In The early hours of Tuesday, devastation struck the peaceful communities of Niger State as a ruthless act of violence unfolded, leaving a deep scar on the hearts of many and igniting a wave of national mourning.
Over 200 armed and ferocious bandits, launched a brutal assault on two military camps nestled within the rural landscapes of Kwanan Duse and Gulbin Boka communities in Mariga Local Government.
The attack, which stretched for hours, was nothing short of a pogrom—a massacre that revealed the cruelty and wickedness of those who seek to sow terror and chaos amidst innocent lives.
On that fateful day, twenty brave soldiers lost their lives defending their country amid fierce gunfire, their sacrifices reinforcing the unyielding spirit of service. The fight was fierce, with gun battles that echoed through the forests, as the soldiers fought to hold the line against the well-armed bandits.
Seventeen of the fallen soldiers’ bodies were recovered from the dense bush, a grim reminder that war often spares no one, not even those who stand on the frontlines. Several others were injured, their sacrifices a stark testament to the ferocity of this encounter. The bandits, riding on motorcycles like wolves hunting their prey, left destruction in their wake—shops looted, cattle rustled, and lives forever changed.
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The community of Gulbin Boka was particular hit hard—businesses shattered and residents frightened by the sight of violence. The bandits’ aim, as gathered from local leaders, was clear: to dislodge the military from their posts and to gain unchecked access to nearby communities, unleashing more terror and desolation where lives and hopes once thrived.
The heartbroken Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Adamu, expressed sorrow and outrage. He recounted how these bandits, allegedly from Zamfara through the Shadadi forest, invaded the peaceful villages with the wicked intent of destruction. Their motives seemed driven by a pure desire for chaos, looting shops, and creating fear among the people. “They did not kidnap anyone,” he affirmed, “but their violence has left many lives lost and families torn apart.”
As the community grapples with this tragedy, the vigilante groups and military forces have fortified their efforts, moving swiftly into the forested hideouts suspected to harbor these bandits. Still, the pain and grief linger—a somber reminder of the brutal reality that in the fight against evil, lives are often caught in the crossfire.
In remembrance of the fallen heroes and all innocent lives lost, the nation must come together in mourning and resolve. These acts of wickedness are not just an attack on individuals but an assault on our collective humanity. May the souls of the brave soldiers rest in eternal peace—heroes who dared to stand against darkness in a time of terror.