Kebbi Governor Confirms Soldier Casualties in Danko-Wasagu, Extols Military Resilience

 Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State provided a somber update on July 27, 2025, confirming the loss of several soldiers during intensified military operations against banditry in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, though he withheld specific casualty figures pending official military verification. 

Addressing reporters at the Government House following an inspection of newly delivered Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) from the Federal Government, Idris expressed deep sympathy for the fallen troops’ families and pledged state support, including financial assistance and counseling services. He lauded the 223 Light Tank Battalion and 1 Battalion Rear for their relentless efforts, citing their recent success in repelling over 400 bandits in a July 10 engagement and thwarting an attack on Waje village on May 18 that had previously claimed 15 civilian lives.

The governor’s remarks underscore a broader campaign against the region’s entrenched banditry, which has displaced over 10,000 residents since 2023, according to the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency. The arrival of the APCs, equipped with advanced surveillance and combat capabilities, was hailed as a boost to operational effectiveness, with military commanders Lt. Colonel Muhammad Saleh and Major A.P. Azubuine thanking the state for logistical backing, including fuel and rations. 

However, the absence of precise casualty details has drawn concern from local leaders, who suggest underreporting to maintain troop morale, while the ongoing violence, marked by abductions and livestock rustling, highlights the conflict’s complexity. The narrative of military valor is tempered by the need for sustained community collaboration and federal reinforcement to address the root causes of insecurity in this northwestern region.