Armed bandits have killed an officer and six soldiers after ambushing troops of the Nigerian Army in Rigachiku, a garrison community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attack occurred on Monday when the troops were returning from a clearance operation in which many terrorists were killed, according to PR Nigeria.
Details of the Attack
Security sources reported that a fierce gunfight erupted between the troops and the terrorists, with many assailants also killed. The ambush followed weeks of sustained military operations along the Zaria-Kaduna highway, where numerous terrorists had been neutralized.
Official Response Pending
The Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. An inquiry sent to its spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, had not received a response at the time of reporting. However, reinforcement operations have been launched in the area to prevent further attacks and track down the assailants.
Broader Context of Violence in Kaduna
Kaduna State has long suffered from multidimensional violence, including communal clashes and the farmers-herders crisis, which has evolved into banditry and terrorism. Affected communities span Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kagoro, Kachia, Jema'a, and Kajuru, among others.
Farmers-Herders Conflict
The farmers-herders crisis often takes an ethno-religious dimension, involving nomadic Fulani herders and indigenous sedentary farmers, particularly in Southern Kaduna. Armed gangs have killed and displaced many people in these areas.
Peace Deal Impact
In parts of Kaduna, such as Birnin Gwari, a federal government-backed peace deal with Fulani bandits has reduced highway kidnappings and village raids, according to locals. However, a youth leader noted that while Birnin Gwari enjoys relative peace, terrorists involved in the deal have shifted focus to other parts of the state. He added that isolated attacks still occur in Birnin Gwari.
