Gunmen killed nine Nigerian troops and injured several others in the northwestern state of Kebbi, security sources and local officials said on Wednesday.
Kebbi state, which shares a border with Benin and Niger, is among the northwestern states where armed kidnapping gangs roam largely freely, overlapping with Islamist militants who are expanding their presence in the region.
- Two army sources and a resident said the soldiers were on patrol near their base in Kebbi's Shanga district when they were attacked by the gunmen late on Tuesday.
- The army sources said they suspected the Lakurawa militant group, which is known to operate in the area and targets Nigeria's security agents.
- Kebbi state governor Nasir Idris confirmed the attack after visiting injured soldiers but did not provide a death toll.
- Insecurity is the biggest issue confronting President Bola Tinubu's government, around three years after taking office.
- The Nigerian army did not immediately comment.
Reuters