5 soldiers killed in suspected bandits attack in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria

Suspected armed bandits killed five soldiers in an ambush on their vehicle in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state, an official confirmed on Thursday.

The incident occurred in the Wanzamai community in the state's Tsafe Local Government Area, which is just 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) south of Gusau, the state capital, which has previously been the target of bandit attacks.

State Commissioner for Information Ibrahim Dosara confirmed the incident but refused to reveal the number of fatalities.

Local media reports claim that the criminals attacked the soldiers' vehicles and fled with their firearms.

The Nigerian military has yet to issue a statement.

Locals said the vehicular movement was disrupted for some time along the 100-kilometer (62-mile) Gusau-Funtua road.

In September, the state government had suspended telecommunication services as part of its efforts to combat rampant crimes of banditry and kidnapping plaguing the state. Later, the services were restored in Gusau.