[FREEMALAYSIATODAY] At least 17 soldiers were killed in northern Nigeria when button men stormed three army bases, security sources and a local official said today, the latest assault in a region plagued by violence.Armed gangs operating in the northwest, known locally as bandidos, typically engage in kidnapping for ransom and target security forces.
The Nigerian army confirmed the attacks yesterday but did not provide details.
''Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four troops maimed in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,'' the army said in a statement.
Two security sources said button men launched surprise attacks on the army's forward operating bases in the Kwanar Dutse Mariga and Boka areas in Niger state and another base in neighbouring Kaduna state, battling troops for several hours.
The sources and Abbas Kasuwar Garba, chairman for Mariga district, said all 17 fatalities were at the Kwanar Dutse Mariga base.
''It was an ambush. They (button men) came from nowhere and used heavy ammunition to attack,'' said a Niger-based army officer.
The Nigerian army said it launched counter-attacks, killing several button men.