Nigeria, Jan. 21 -- At least five soldiers and a police officer have been killed in an ambush by bandits in Nigeria's troubled North-west state of Zamfara.

The Nigerian Army confirmed that the fallen men, serving under the counter-insurgency task force Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), were killed on 19 January while responding to a distress call from locals.

The troops were intercepted by the terrorists while en route to protect a community under attack.

The spokesperson for the operation, David Adewusi, a captain, in a statement on Tuesday, said that the incident occurred along the Bingi-Kekun Waje-Gusau Road.

Mr Adewusi stated that the troops demonstrated "exceptional bravery, professionalism, and resilience," successfully killed seve...