GOVERNOR Nasir Idris has revealed that “false intelligence” played a critical role in the deadly ambush that claimed the lives of 13 security personnel in Kebbi State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the governor disclosed this late on Wednesday after visiting the scene of the attack in Shanga Local Government Area, where soldiers responding to a distress call were lured into a well-coordinated trap by suspected bandits.
The victims include 11 soldiers and a police officer, with additional casualties bringing the total death toll to 13, according to updated figures confirmed by the state government.
According to Idris, the military had mobilised after receiving intelligence that armed groups were gathering to launch an attack on a community in the area.
However, the information turned out to be inaccurate and ultimately fatal.
“The military received a distress call that bandits were gathering in one place to attack our people. Unfortunately, the information was not correct,” the governor said.
He explained that while advancing towards the location, the troops were ambushed by heavily armed gunmen who had strategically positioned themselves along the route.
“These notorious bandits laid ambush on them and killed about 11 of them. It is a very sad situation,” he added.
Idris visited the affected area alongside the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Zayyanu Abdullahi, to assess the aftermath of the attack and sympathise with residents.
Earlier, the governor had also visited the mortuary and the Accident and Emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital Birnin Kebbi, where the bodies of the deceased and injured victims were taken.
Describing the incident as “barbaric,” Idris expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, particularly among security personnel deployed to protect civilians.
“These are the soldiers who protect the lives of Kebbi residents, yet they found themselves in this situation,” he said.
He assured that the state government would shoulder the medical bills of injured victims and provide support to the families of those who lost their lives.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and curbing the activities of bandits and terrorist groups in the state.
“The Kebbi State Government will not relent in its efforts to protect the lives of its citizens,” he said, while offering prayers for the fallen personnel.
In a similar incident on June 25, 2025, the Nigerian Army confirmed that 17 soldiers were killed during an ambush by suspected bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The troops had responded to an attack on the Bangi community before being overwhelmed by heavily armed fighters.
Meanwhile, in the North-East, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have continued to launch deadly attacks on military formations.
One such incident in late 2025 involved a coordinated raid on a military base in Borno State, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers.