No fewer than 17 soldiers have been killed by terrorists in a military base at Polewire in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the attack has also left 40 others injured after a fierce gun battle between both parties.
The terrorists also killed three locals, razed four armoured vehicles, and went away with military weapons after killing the soldiers.
According to report, the terrorists who stormed the military base rode on motorcycles and carried AK47 rifles. They engaged the soldiers in a gun battle for more than two hours before the terrorists eventually subdued them (soldiers).
It was further learnt that the terrorists razed the troops’ Armoured Personnel Carrier after they had overwhelmed them.
They carted away weapons after dislodging the soldiers, according to the source.
The chairman of the Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Ishaq Usman Kasai, who also confirmed the death of three vigilante operatives, added that the attack took place on Sunday around 3 pm.
Kasai said the terrorists suspected to be the Ansaru were believed to be coming from Niger State when they attacked the military base.
He, however, revealed that normalcy has gradually returned to Birnin Gwari who had been under intense attack.
“When we heard we had to run and seek refuge elsewhere. Most of the residents slept outside Birnin Gwari town,” Kasai added.
He noted that the security situation in Birnin Gwari was getting out of hand, calling on the government to take urgent steps in addressing the situation.
“The security situation is becoming increasingly alarming whereby a large swath of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area is now at the mercy of marauding bandits who usually roll into towns and villages in convoys of motorcycles mostly riding three on each, brandishing AK47 rifles killing and abducting people including women and children.
“BEPU noted that the bandits usually spend hours operating with impunity and unleashing terror, especially in rural communities.
“The bandits also placed taxes on various communities and keep coming back repeatedly to attack them because of the absence of law enforcement agents.
“BEPU observes this situation as not only tragic but shameful that these bunch of ragtag bandits on motorcycles wielding AK47 rifles can roam most communities in the area with impunity killing and abducting peaceful helpless innocent citizens in a nation that seems to have standing Armed Forces and the Police,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya, has said the Army was reviewing the security architecture of the country, to bridge observed gaps and build the right fighting will of troops to deal with the threats from terrorists/bandits.
The COAS spoke through the Chief Of Policy and Plans, COPP, Major General Anthony Omozojie at a seminar in Abuja on Tuesday.
