TheCable

About 11 soldiers have been killed in an attack by suspected gunmen on a military base in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state, sources have told TheCable.

The gunmen who came in large numbers were said to have invaded the base at Polwire village on Monday and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle.

Military sources told TheCable that the bandits came on motorcycles and carrying heavy weapons including rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).

The fight was said to have lasted for about two hours before the soldiers were dislodged.

“We lost 11 men while 19 soldiers were wounded in action, after they overwhelmed the troops. They also burnt down three armoured personel carriers (APC) after they overwhelmed the troops,” one of the military sources said.

The gunmen were also said to have carted away with several weapons from the troops.

TheCable understands that the wounded soldiers were evacuated to Birnin Gwari General Hospital and 271 Nigerian Airforce Medical Center while those who were killed have been evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK) in Kaduna.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the attack.

In past recent months, there has been a series of attacks on Kaduna communities, including military bases.

In August 2021, gunmen attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), killing two officers.

The attack on the military base comes days after gunmen attacked a train in Kaduna, which left several people dead and scores injured.