Two Soldiers Feared Killed as IED Hits Military Vehicle in Sokoto

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

A military patrol vehicle carrying troops to Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State was reportedly hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) on Saturday, leaving at least two soldiers feared dead and several others injured.

The troops were said to be heading to the community in response to a distress call after armed bandit reportedly attacked the village in the early hours of the day, Daily Trust Newspaper reported.

Sources in the area said the bandits stormed Bargaja between midnight and 3:00a.m shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among residents, who subsequently sought military assistance.

Residents alleged that the attackers planted the explosive along the Isa- Bargaja road before security personnel arrived at the scene.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, said the military vehicle detonated the device while en route to the village.

“The soldiers were coming to rescue us when the explosion occurred. Several of them were affected, and one injured soldier later made his way into the village seeking help” the source said.

According to the resident, the soldier sustained serious injuries to his leg as a result of the blast.

Community members expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend in the use of explosives by bandits operating in the area.

“We saw the bodies of two soldiers after the incident, but we cannot confirm if there were additional casualties ” the resident added.

Another source said residents later travelled to Isa town to sympathise with the military over the loss.

“We organised transport and went to the military camp in Isa to condole with the troops after hearing about the incident” he said.

The source further claimed that three soldiers, including the driver of the vehicle, may have lost their lives in the explosion.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from military authorities were unsuccessful as of the time of this report, leaving the exact casualty figure unverified.