Soldiers, police officers, and civilians were killed in an ambush by gunmen in the Giro Masa community, Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Tuesday night.
Channels Television reports that the exact number of security personnel casualty has not been determined as at press time, but two locals were confirmed dead.
According to eyewitnesses, soldiers were dispatched to a site where the gun men had been unleashing terror within the community and nearby areas, but were ambushed en route.
The attackers reportedly razed down two military gun trucks.
An anonymous resident described the incident as chaotic and deadly.
He said “the gunmen came into our village and were heading towards the construction company yard. We alerted security personnel, but they were ambushed,” the source said.
Another local said “it was terrifying. People were running in all directions as the gunmen fired at the soldiers and set the trucks ablaze.”
A security analyst, Bakatsine, said suspected Lakurawa fighters launched the attack on troops stationed in the area.
“Today, Lakurawa terrorists killed several Nigerian soldiers in Girinmasa, Yauri LGA of Kebbi State.
“May Allah have mercy on the fallen heroes and bring to end this insecurity ravaging Nigeria,” Bakatsine wrote.”
Meanwhile, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has expressed shock over the killing of some soldiers in the state.
He told reporters at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, on Wednesday, that the killings took place on Wednesday.
Idris said “this is a sad incident. These are the soldiers who protect the lives of Kebbi residents, yet they found themselves in this situation. The Kebbi State Government will not relent in its efforts to protect the lives of its citizens/” Channels quoted him to have said.
He said the state government would foot the medical bills of the injured and provide support to the families of the deceased security personnel.
The governor later visited the mortuary and the accident and emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, where victims of the attack were taken to.
He also went for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
The military authorities have not issued an official statement on the attack.
In the last few weeks, the military lost three senior officers and many soldiers to terrorists ravaging North-East Communities.
