Militants and bandits kill dozens of soldiers and miners in twin attacks across Nigeria

More than 25 Islamic State‑linked militants were killed as Nigerian troops repelled a night assault on a military outpost in Kukawa, Borno, while a separate bandit raid in Bindin, Zamfara, left at least 25 soldiers and over 100 gold miners dead.

Northeast Attack

Troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion faced fire from four directions on the night of Oct 6 in Kukawa near Lake Chad. Air support helped push back the fighters. Captain Mohammed Goni, acting information officer for Operation Hadin Kai, said the forces neutralised over 25 terrorists and recovered 14 bodies. Six AK‑47 rifles and ammunition were seized. Military sources confirmed some soldiers died, and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force reported more than three of its volunteers were killed.

Northwest Raid

On Oct 5 heavily armed bandits on motorcycles stormed a military camp in Bindin, Maru local government area, killing at least 25 troops, according to resident Salisu Abdu and a confirming military source. The attackers looted the base and the next day opened fire in a mining pit where about 1,000 people were digging for gold. A village head and relatives said at least 100 miners were killed. Reuters could not verify the figures and neither the Nigerian army nor the Zamfara state government responded to comment.

Context

The twin incidents highlight the continuing threat from Islamist insurgents in the northeast and the spread of bandit violence in the northwest. Security concerns are expected to dominate Nigeria’s national election slated for early next year.