Armed bandits have reportedly overrun a Nigerian military base in Mutumji, Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of Gusau, the Zamfara state capital.

According to Peoples Gazette, military sources revealed that the bandits struck the forward operating base at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Officials immediately confirmed 12 fatalities, comprising nine Nigerian Air Force officers, two police officers and one Nigerian Army soldier. It was not immediately clear the level of fire that the soldiers returned to prevent the base from being sacked.

All slain personnel were evacuated to Yerima Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau and the three wounded have been receiving treatments at a brigade medical facility, officials said.

The attackers also seized weapons from the killed service members and set ablaze other equipment in the facility.

The number of security forces manning the base was not immediately clear. The base has served as a crucial point operation for logistics and reconnaissance efforts to rout out bandits operating between the eastern flank of Zamfara and western Katsina.