Gunmen attacked Kanya village in Danko-Wasagu district of Kebbi State and killed 19 security personnel, including 13 soldiers.
According to security source and residents on Wednesday, the gunmen invaded late Tuesday, engaging a combined military and police detachment in a three-hour gunfight.
A security personnel who pleaded anonymity said, “The death toll stands at 19. They include 13 soldiers, five policemen and one vigilante.”
He said eight other security personnel, including four soldiers, were hospitalised with wounds.
“It was an intense fight that lasted more than three hours. The terrorists had the upper hand because of their sheer number,” he added.
A local resident Musa Arzika also said the attackers came on “around 200 motorcycles riding three on each and laid siege on the village.”
“The bodies of 13 soldiers, five policemen and one vigilante killed in the fight were taken to Zuru this morning.
“We believe they were the same bandits who killed the vigilantes that attacked our village,” he said.
This is coming just a day after dozens of members of a self-defence militia were killed in the same area.
