One officer and six soldiers died Monday evening in a terrorist ambush along Rigachikun in Kaduna's Igabi Local Government Area. The troops were returning from a successful clearance operation when heavily armed attackers struck.
Security sources confirmed the soldiers had disrupted criminal hideouts minutes before. They'd also neutralized several fighters operating along the Kaduna-Zaria corridor during the mission.
Gunfire erupted when the detachment came under assault. Though the soldiers returned fire and inflicted casualties on attackers, seven personnel fell in the fierce battle.
The 1 Division Nigerian Army has intensified operations across the state. Recent weeks brought several bandit leader eliminations and rescued kidnapping victims, authorities said.
Military sources noted that weapons recovery disrupted criminal supply networks. Attacks on motorists along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway have reportedly declined as a result.
Rigachikun sits on Kaduna metropolis outskirts and holds strategic importance. It houses the Command Engineering Depot and military residential quarters used for statewide operations.
The ambush underscores how armed groups remain resilient despite sustained military offensives. Terrorist factions continue launching attacks across the North-West region.
Reinforcement troops deployed to the area immediately after the incident. Security personnel are now conducting follow-up operations to track fleeing attackers.
Military authorities hadn't released an official statement at the time of reporting. Investigations into the ambush remain ongoing.
Coordinated security operations are underway across Kaduna and neighbouring states. Officials aim to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore safety along major transportation routes.
The attack reflects persistent insecurity challenges facing the region. It comes despite recent military successes against terrorist and bandit organisations.
