IED attack in Sokoto’s Isa LGA reportedly kills soldiers after convoy responding to Bargaja distress call is ambushed by bandits, residents say.
At least two soldiers have been reportedly killed following an IED attack on a military vehicle along the Isa–Bargaja road in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Several other troops were also said to have sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred during a response operation to a bandit attack on Bargaja community.
Security sources and local residents according to Daily Trust, said the troops were deployed in the early hours of Saturday, June 21, 2026, after armed bandits invaded Bargaja village, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
The attackers reportedly operated between 12:30am and 3:00am, creating panic across the rural community.
Following the distress call, a military response team was mobilised to restore order in the area.
However, while advancing toward the community, the convoy allegedly came under attack when it struck an improvised explosive device planted along the Isa–Bargaja route.
Residents described the explosion as devastating, saying it directly hit one of the vehicles in the convoy. According to eyewitness accounts, the explosion occurred as troops were moving to secure the affected community after the overnight assault.
A resident who spoke anonymously said the soldiers were on a rescue mission when the blast occurred.
He claimed that one injured soldier managed to escape the scene and reached the community for help, despite suffering serious injuries to his leg.
He also said that at least two bodies of soldiers were seen shortly after the explosion, although full casualty figures remained unclear.
Another local source said members of the community later visited the military base in Isa town to condole with the troops following the incident. He added that they travelled from Bargaja in hired vehicles to express sympathy over the reported loss of personnel.
The source further alleged that up to three soldiers, including a driver, may have died in the attack, while others were injured and evacuated for treatment.
According to him, the bodies of the deceased personnel were later moved to Sokoto for further handling.
However, accounts of the incident remain conflicting, with another security-related source describing the situation as a coordinated ambush rather than a single explosive strike.
According to the source, the convoy was structured with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) leading the movement, which reportedly passed safely.
He alleged that attackers then targeted a following Hilux vehicle, opening fire before detonating an explosive device in a coordinated strike.
The source claimed the attackers deliberately allowed the lead APC to pass before striking the trailing vehicle, suggesting a planned tactical ambush on the responding troops.
He further said one member of the security team fled into a nearby forest during the chaos, and that search efforts were ongoing to locate him at the time of reporting.
Residents said the area remained tense throughout the night, with intermittent gunfire exchanged between security forces and the attackers.
Many described hours of fear and uncertainty as they remained unable to sleep due to the sound of ongoing shooting.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement confirming the full details or casualty figures from the incident.
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