By Ayo Kehinde
At least three soldiers have been killed following a predawn attack by suspected terrorists on a military base in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, with troops successfully repelling the assault after a fierce gun battle.
The incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. in Kemanji, a rural community located near the Kainji National Park, a vast forest reserve that has increasingly become a safe haven for armed groups due to its difficult terrain and limited state presence.
The attackers reportedly stormed the military formation under the cover of darkness, opening fire on personnel in what appeared to be a coordinated and premeditated assault.
A forest guard working with security operatives in the area confirmed the development, stating that the gunmen targeted the base directly.
“The terrorists came straight to the camp and opened fire on the soldiers. They killed three of them and injured four others—three soldiers and a local vigilante”, the guard said.
Despite the surprise attack and initial casualties, troops reportedly regrouped and mounted a strong counteroffensive, engaging the assailants in a prolonged exchange of gunfire. Local sources indicated that several of the attackers were neutralised during the confrontation, forcing the remaining fighters to retreat into the surrounding forest.
A vigilante member in Kemanji corroborated this account, noting that the combined resistance of soldiers and local security volunteers played a crucial role in preventing the base from being completely overrun.
However, the attackers reportedly escaped with eight operational motorcycles and a gun truck, underscoring the scale of the assault and the logistical capacity of the armed group.
Security sources linked the incident to suspected Ansaru fighters, a faction known for operating in forest corridors across parts of north-central Nigeria. The group has previously clashed with security forces in and around the Kemanji axis, often leveraging the dense vegetation and proximity to Kainji National Park to stage attacks and evade capture.
Although other criminal and terrorist groups are known to operate within the region, multiple sources familiar with the incident said the method and target of the attack bear the hallmarks of Ansaru operations.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from either the Nigerian military or the police authorities in Kwara State. Nonetheless, security presence in the area has reportedly been reinforced, with ongoing surveillance and combing operations to track down fleeing attackers and prevent further incursions.
Residents of the affected community have expressed concern over the recurring security breaches but commended the swift response of security personnel, which they say prevented a more devastating outcome.
