June 22, 2026 – Sokoto, Nigeria
Two soldiers were killed, and several others injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) hit a military vehicle conveying troops to Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The troops were responding to a distress call following a bandit attack on the community in the early hours of Saturday, June 21, 2026. Residents told Daily Trust that bandits invaded the village between 12:30am and 3:00am, shooting sporadically, forcing residents to seek military intervention.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the attackers planted an IED along the Isa-Bargaja road before the arrival of the troops.
Security sources and eyewitness accounts said the explosion happened when a Nigerian Army patrol vehicle drove over the IED planted along the road. At least two soldiers were reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries.
The injured soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital for medical treatment. The military has not yet released an official statement on the incident.
The attack has been linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, who has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on security forces in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
In a video released on June 20, Turji boasted about the attacks and declared that his group is ready for "peace or war" with the government.
Watch Video HereThe killing of two soldiers in an IED attack is a stark reminder of the evolving tactics of bandit groups in the North-West. The use of IEDs, which were previously associated with Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, is a worrying development that could signal a shift in the nature of banditry. The military must adapt its tactics and invest in counter-IED capabilities to protect its personnel and effectively combat the threat.
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