Terrorists killed at least 17 soldiers when they attacked military bases in Niger and Kaduna states on Tuesday, a day that coincided with General Christopher G. Musa’s second anniversary as Chief of Defence Staff.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the soldiers’ deaths on Wednesday. The army stated that the troops were killed during separate attacks on its military bases of Kwanar Dutse Mairiga, Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai Chikun Local Governmental Area, Kaduna.

“On 24 June 2025, forward operating bases in the general areas of Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka Niger State, and Aungwan Turai Chikun LGA in Kaduna State, were attacked by bandits in a 3 pronged attack,” the army’s official statement read.

“In response, land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters. Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four wounded in action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds.”

But Info Minister Said Bandits, Terrorists Were ‘On Their Last Leg’

Just two months before this attack, Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister for Information, told international news station France 24 that terrorists in Nigeria were on “their last legs”.

Idris claimed that terrorists had been largely dissipated and no longer had control over holding territories.

“I think they are on their last legs. Hitherto, they were holding territories especially in the Northeastern part of Nigeria; local governments, towns, cities. Now, it’s no longer the case. They’ve been largely dissipated. They’ve run into the bushes coming to take some soft targets,” Idris said on the programme.

“We are not saying that we have 100 per cent terminated Boko Haram, but I think we have significantly them for them to pose any significant challenge as a country.

“If you look at what they were…they were holding territories, towns and cities, even hoisting flags and collecting taxes from the people. That is no longer the case. The people that were displaced in these communities have been taken back.”

More Military Troops Have Fallen Since Idris Made That Claim

Between April, when Idris made the claim that terror attacks had been subdued, and June, Nigeria has recorded more attacks on its military bases and some soldiers have lost their lives in the process.

In May, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked 26 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai at the Izge, Gwoza Local Council of Borno State.

The military repelled the attack but Mohammed Timta, the emir of Gwoza, confirmed that a captain and a private soldier lost their lives in the attack.

In the same month, terrorists attacked a military outpost in Zamfara and set it on fire because the military could not repel those attacks due to lack of adequate ammunitions.

“Soldiers put in their best but there was lack of ammunition and there was no vehicle at the location and support weapons. So the bandits overpowered them and burnt down the location,” a source revealed.

“No casualty yet but one soldier was injured and has been rushed to a medical hospital at the brigade HQ.”

In an attack by insurgents on the 50 Task Force Battalion’s location in New Marte, while the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Airforce successfully repelled attacks from terrorists on May 27, two soldiers lost their lives.

While the Nigerian army has recorded multiple successes when terrorists attack its bases, Idris’ claim that terrorists have been largely sidestepped does not reflect the reality on the ground.