May 19, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel News
Fresh details have emerged surrounding a deadly ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorists that claimed the lives of at least seven Nigerian soldiers and a civilian guide in Sokoto State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday evening in Runji village, located in Illela Local Government Area near the Nigeria-Niger border, where troops of Operation Fasan Yamma had carried out a military offensive against a suspected terrorist enclave.
According to security and local sources, the troops had successfully raided the terrorists’ hideout, destroying parts of the camp and inflicting heavy casualties on the armed group before beginning their return journey.
However, tragedy struck after one of the military vehicles conveying the troops reportedly developed a mechanical fault along the route back to Illela.
Sources familiar with the operation disclosed that some soldiers stopped to repair the faulty vehicle while others secured the area, unaware that the terrorists had regrouped after the earlier raid.
“The terrorists regrouped after the operation and trailed the soldiers for retaliation,” a source revealed.
The attackers were said to have stormed the area on nearly 30 motorcycles carrying heavily armed fighters who immediately opened fire on the troops, leading to a fierce gun battle.
Another account suggested that the soldiers may have abandoned the damaged vehicle and were trekking back to base with the assistance of a local civilian guide when the terrorists launched the deadly ambush.
“The troops were moving toward Illela with the help of a local guide when they were attacked. Seven soldiers and the civilian assisting them were killed,” another source disclosed.
Residents of nearby communities said panic spread across the area as heavy gunfire echoed through the village during the confrontation.
Local volunteers and security operatives later launched a search operation in surrounding bushes for missing personnel after the attack subsided.
“We counted seven corpses after the body of a missing soldier was later discovered,” a resident said anonymously.
Security sources confirmed that the remains of the slain soldiers were evacuated to Sokoto for burial arrangements and further military procedures, while reinforcement troops were deployed to the area amid fears of further attacks.
A local government official also revealed that one of the officers killed was a senior military officer believed to hold the rank of lieutenant.
Further reports on Monday indicated that the troops had altered their movement after receiving a distress call shortly after concluding the initial operation.
“The troops had completed a successful mission when they received a distress call and turned back. On their way, they were ambushed,” a military source explained.
The source added that two lieutenants were among those killed during the deadly encounter.
The latest attack has once again intensified concerns over worsening insecurity across Sokoto and other northwestern states, where terrorist groups and armed bandits continue to target security formations and rural communities despite ongoing military operations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
