Abuja—The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a lieutenant-colonel and several other soldiers following a fierce encounter with Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State on Friday. The troops, operating under Operation Hadin Kai, successfully repelled the planned attack but sustained casualties in the process.
In a statement released Monday by the Army spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Appolonia Anele, the military confirmed that troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade foiled a large-scale offensive planned by Boko Haram around Kashimri in Bama Local Government Area.
The operation was initiated following credible intelligence indicating that terrorists were regrouping with the intention of launching assaults on civilian communities and disrupting vital socio-economic activities in the region.
According to the statement, the troops acted swiftly on the intelligence, moving to the suspected locations and engaging the terrorists in a decisive gun duel. The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of several insurgents and the destruction of identified Boko Haram camps.
However, the significant victory was tempered by the loss of gallant soldiers. Lt.-Col. Anele confirmed that the Commanding Officer of 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Aliyu Paiko, alongside an unspecified number of other soldiers, “paid the supreme price” during the fierce battle.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, immediately extended his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen heroes. He praised them as “patriots who demonstrated exceptional courage in defence of the nation.”
The COAS reassured the public that the sacrifices of the deceased would “never be in vain,” stating the Nigerian Army remains committed to pursuing all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace is restored in the North East and across the country.
In concluding the statement, the Army spokesperson issued a solemn appeal to the public and the media to refrain from circulating images of the deceased personnel. This plea is aimed at protecting the dignity of the fallen heroes and ensuring the privacy of their bereaved families until their next of kin have been duly informed.
