Nigeria, June 26 -- Seventeen soldiers have been confirmed dead following a long gun battle with suspected armed bandits in the Bangi axis of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The clash, which occurred late Tuesday night, was part of a coordinated military operation to thwart an incursion by heavily armed criminals into the troubled region.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement signed by its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, described the confrontation as a "deliberate joint operation" involving ground troops and aerial support from the Nigerian Air Force.

According to the army, the operation was based on credible intelligence indicating that no fewer than 300 terrorists were advancing towards Bangi thro...