Gunmen suspected to be bandits ambushed a patrol team of the Nigerian Army in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday, killing four soldiers and wounding seven others.
The incident, which also saw the attackers burning down military vehicles, has sent shockwaves through the region.
The sole administrator of Gudu Local Government, Umar Balle, confirmed the attack on Sunday.
Balle, who narrowly escaped the ambush, expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the soldiers.
“So far, four soldiers died and seven others were wounded as a result of gunshots in addition to the burning of their vehicle,” Balle said.
He added that the injured soldiers received initial treatment at Gudu General Hospital before being transferred to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital in Sokoto for further care.
Yahya Gudu, the member representing Gudu in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, also confirmed the attack.
He detailed the events, stating, “Yes, it is true. Some gunmen ambushed soldiers on patrol along the Kukurau-Bangi road on Saturday and killed four of them while two others were injured. They also burnt down their patrol vehicles.”
In response to the attack, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area to prevent further incidents.
However, efforts to obtain a reaction from the state government have been unsuccessful, as the special adviser on security matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.