Nigeria’s north bleeding: rising attacks on soldiers expose deepening security crisis

At least 17 Nigerian soldiers were killed in coordinated attacks by armed gangs on three army bases in Niger and Kaduna states on Tuesday (24 June),highlighting a worsening security crisis in the country’s north.

The attackers,described by officials as heavily armed “bandits,” overwhelmed remote military outposts in fierce battles lasting hours. “These were surprise attacks,” a security source said. “The soldiers fought back fiercely,(but) unfortunately,we lost 17 men in the battles.” The Nigerian Army confirmed the assaults and announced a counteroffensive with air support,resulting in “significant enemy losses.” The attacks come amid broader unrest when 18 civilians,including women and children,were recently ambushed and burned alive in Plateau State,sparking outrage.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemned “the brutal massacre of innocent Nigerian travelers” and called on the government to act urgently,warning,“This country is bleeding,and it is bleeding from the North.” Nigeria’s military faces threats from both jihadist groups and criminal gangs across vast regions with limited state presence. Despite efforts to stabilize the region,insecurity persists. “Failure to act is not just negligence; it is complicity,” warned the NEF. Meanwhile,political discontent is rising. Former Kaduna governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai slammed President Bola Tinubu’s leadership,citing a 91% disapproval rating in parts of the North and Southeast. “The guy is gone,he has performed miserably,” El-Rufai declared,blaming failures in security,the economy,and governance.