World

25 Soldiers and 100 Miners Killed in Separate Attacks in Nigeria

By Reuters

Nigerian troops killed more than 25 Islamic State‑aligned militants during a night assault on a military position in Kukawa, Borno State, on October 6, 2026. The 101 Special Forces Battalion repelled the attack from four directions with air support, according to Captain Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer for Operation Hadin Kai. Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far. Six AK‑47 rifles and ammunition were seized during follow‑up operations. Military sources said some soldiers were killed, but no details were released. A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force said more than three of its members were killed.

In a separate incident on October 5, heavily armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked a military camp in Bindin, Maru local government area, Zamfara State, killing at least 25 soldiers. Salisu Abdu, a resident of Bindin, counted 25 bodies, and a military source who reinforced the camp confirmed the same number. The gunmen looted the base before opening fire in a nearby gold‑mining pit, where about 1,000 people were digging. A village head and relatives of the victims reported that at least 100 people were killed. The Nigerian military and Zamfara State government did not respond to requests for comment. The attacks highlight the ongoing threat from Islamist insurgents in northeastern Nigeria and the spreading violence in the northwest, where bandits and Islamist groups also operate. Insecurity is expected to be a key issue in Nigeria’s upcoming election early next year.