Military Bases Attacked in Niger, Kaduna States as Tinubu’s Government Struggles to Contain Insecurity in Nigeria

In a devastating blow to Nigeria’s already broken security architecture, armed bandits on Tuesday, June 24, launched coordinated attacks on military bases in Niger and Kaduna States, killing several soldiers and further exposing the Tinubu administration’s failure to curb escalating violence across the country.

The attacks targeted forward operating bases in Kwanar Dutse (Mariga) and Boka in Niger State, as well as Aungwan Turai in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, locations not far from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Nigerian military suffered significant casualties in the ambushes. While the army confirmed the loss of “gallant warriors” and injuries to at least four soldiers, independent accounts indicate that as many as 20 personnel may have been killed in a single attack in Niger State. The Nigerian Army claimed its forces “neutralised several terrorists” in response, but such reassurances ring hollow given the brazenness and coordination of the attack.

The government’s muted and formulaic reaction to the killings, offering condolences while repeating worn-out promises of security reform, has drawn criticism from citizens. With no meaningful strategy to counteract these increasingly sophisticated attacks, the Tinubu administration continues to preside over a deteriorating security situation that now threatens the very seat of power.

Just days before the attacks, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria issued a warning to American citizens, advising them to avoid military and government installations in Abuja due to unspecified but credible security threats. The advisory, reported by West Africa Weekly, was issued on June 22, emphasising concerns about a potential escalation of violence in and around the capital. The embassy advised U.S. personnel to limit their movements and avoid places frequented by government officials. This extraordinary measure shows the lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security environment under the current administration.

The Nigerian government, rather than acknowledging the seriousness of the warning, responded with vague reassurances, insisting there was “no cause for alarm” even as soldiers were being killed less than 200 kilometres from the capital. The decision to downplay both the embassy’s alert and the military losses has drawn widespread backlash from Nigerians, who are already disappointed with President Tinubu’s leadership on internal security.

Niger State, where two of the three military bases were attacked, directly borders the Federal Capital Territory. The geographic proximity has raised legitimate fears that Abuja itself could soon face similar incursions, a possibility that the government appears either unwilling or unable to confront.

Despite campaign promises to prioritise national security, President Tinubu’s administration has presided over an expansion of violent non-state actors, from jihadist insurgents to well-armed bandits operating freely across the Northwest and Northcentral regions. The attacks on June 24 are not isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern of systemic failure in Nigeria’s security apparatus, exacerbated by poor coordination, under-resourced forces, and a government more concerned with optics than outcomes.

With growing insecurity, deepening public distrust, and now international concern over the safety of even the capital city, the Tinubu government faces a crisis of legitimacy. The recent bloodshed should have been a turning point. Instead, it appears to be just another page in the grim ledger of state failure.

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