Soldiers Feared Dead After IED Blast Hits Military Convoy in Sokoto

A military convoy responding to bandit attacks on the Isa, Bargaja road in Sokoto State has reportedly hit an improvised explosive device (IED), leading to deaths and injuries among soldiers.

Residents of the Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State, said the convoy struck the suspected IED on Saturday. The blast caused an unknown number of soldier casualties and left several others injured.

This incident took place on the Isa, Bargaja road as troops were sent to the area after a distress call about an overnight raid by armed groups.

PREMIUM TIMES has not confirmed the exact number of casualties at this time. Military officials have not released an official statement regarding what happened.

Local reports indicate that armed bandits attacked the Bargaja community between midnight and the early hours of Saturday. This forced many villagers to flee and seek help from the military. Community sources suggest that the attackers set the explosive device on the road before security forces arrived.

“They were on their way to rescue us when the vehicle hit the explosive,” a resident said. “Many soldiers were affected. One of the injured soldiers later came into the village looking for help.”

Another resident shared that community leaders went to Isa town to express condolences to military personnel after hearing of the casualties.

The situation in the area shows signs of a possible tactical escalation. A source close to the incident claimed that the troops may have been ambushed. They said that an armoured vehicle leading the convoy passed without issue, but the next vehicle was hit.

Residents also reported hearing gunfire throughout the night, which raised fears in the community.

This incident comes after a security alert was issued in nearby Zamfara State just one day earlier. The alert warned that bandits were planning to place explosive devices on major roads in the Zurmi, Dauran, Yanbiki, and Birnin Magaji areas.

While there is no direct evidence linking the warning to the Sokoto incident, it raises concerns among residents about the increasing use of IEDs by criminal groups in Nigeria’s North-west. This region has mostly seen mass abductions, cattle rustling, and rural raids in the past.

Security experts have warned that the rise of military-style tactics among non-state actors could make counter-insurgency operations much harder in the region. This incident occurs amid ongoing instability in eastern Sokoto, including Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo, where residents face constant attacks.

Attempts to get official confirmation from military authorities were unsuccessful at the time of this report. Also, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufai, and the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Sharehu Kamarawa, could not be reached for comments.

PREMIUM TIMES will keep updating this report as more information comes in.