A Nigerian Army Lieutenant and six soldiers were reportedly killed on Monday evening after troops came under a deadly ambush by suspected terrorists during a patrol operation in the Rigachikun area of Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred amid intensified military operations that have, in recent weeks, significantly degraded the operational capabilities of armed groups operating within the Kaduna-Zaria corridor and surrounding communities.
PRNigeria gathered from security sources that the troops had earlier embarked on a routine operational patrol following a series of successful clearance missions that led to the neutralisation of several terrorist kingpins and their foot soldiers in the area.
Sources disclosed that the soldiers were returning from the operation when they were ambushed by heavily armed attackers, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Although the troops reportedly fought back and inflicted casualties on the attackers, the ambush resulted in the loss of the Lieutenant and six soldiers.
The latest incident has come as a surprise to security observers, given the recent gains recorded by troops operating under the 1 Division Nigerian Army in the area.
Over the past few weeks, security forces have sustained aggressive patrols, intelligence-driven raids, anti-kidnapping operations and clearance missions across communities along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway and adjoining forests.
A security operative told PRNigeria that the operations led to the elimination of several bandit leaders, disruption of criminal hideouts, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of gunrunners and a noticeable reduction in attacks on commuters and residents.
Rigachikun, a strategic community on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, hosts critical military installations, including the Command Engineering Depot and military residential quarters. The area serves as a key operational hub for troops conducting security operations across parts of Kaduna State.
Military formations in the axis have maintained heightened surveillance and regular clearance operations aimed at combating kidnapping, cattle rustling, gunrunning and other violent crimes that have plagued communities in the North-West.
The ambush underscores the continuing threat posed by armed groups despite recent military successes and highlights the determination of security forces to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, military authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
However, sources indicated that reinforcement operations had been launched in the area, while efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers and prevent further security breaches.
The attack comes at a time when security agencies have intensified coordinated operations across Kaduna and neighbouring states to dismantle terrorist and bandit enclaves and restore lasting peace along major transportation routes.
Written with reports from PRNigeria
