Two Nigerian soldiers have been killed while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries after troops of the Nigerian Army were ambushed by suspected terrorists during a military operation in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The deadly attack reportedly occurred at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, when troops attached to the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Tidibale were responding to a distress call over an attack on Tagirke village by armed terrorists.
According to security sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the soldiers swiftly mobilised to the community and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle. The troops reportedly succeeded in overpowering the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the assault and retreat from the village. 
However, while the soldiers were returning from the operation after repelling the attack, they reportedly encountered a carefully planned ambush set up by the fleeing terrorists.
During the withdrawal, one of the military’s gun trucks reportedly drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), triggering a powerful explosion that resulted in multiple casualties among the troops.
The blast claimed the lives of two soldiers, who were confirmed killed in action, while three others suffered injuries of varying severity.
The remains of the deceased personnel were evacuated to the mortuary of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where necessary procedures are expected to be carried out.
The wounded soldiers were immediately transported to the 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The explosion also left one of the military gun trucks badly damaged. The vehicle was later recovered from the scene and towed back to the Forward Operating Base in Tidibale for assessment and possible repairs.
Security sources disclosed that military authorities have intensified operations across the area in a bid to hunt down those responsible for the ambush. Troops are also working to recover any weapons that may have gone missing during the attack while sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts in the region.
The latest incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed terrorist groups continue to launch attacks on rural communities and security personnel despite ongoing military offensives designed to restore peace and stability.
