Nigerian army foils boko haram attack in Borno, loses senior officer and soldiers in fierce battle

The Nigerian Army says it has foiled a major attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, though not without losing a senior officer and several soldiers in the process.

The encounter, which took place on Friday around Kashimri in Bama Local Government Area, left a lieutenant-colonel and other soldiers dead, while several insurgents were neutralised and their camps destroyed.

Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, describing it as both a victory and a painful reminder of the ongoing sacrifices made by Nigerian troops in the fight against terrorism.

According to her, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, under the coordination of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, acted on credible intelligence that Boko Haram fighters were regrouping to attack civilian communities and disrupt social and economic life in the area.

Read also: Why I hoped Buhari would end Boko Haram insurgency – Goodluck Jonathan

Acting swiftly, the soldiers launched a preemptive strike on the terrorists’ hideouts, engaging them in what was described as a “fierce gun duel.” Several insurgents were killed, while others fled with gunshot wounds. The operation also led to the destruction of identified Boko Haram camps.

However, the army confirmed that the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Paiko, and several other soldiers were killed in action. The statement did not provide the exact number of military casualties.

Lieutenant Colonel Anele said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, had expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

“Their sacrifices will never be in vain,” the COAS was quoted as saying. “They fought with honour and demonstrated exceptional courage in defending the sovereignty of our nation.”

General Oluyede reaffirmed the army’s commitment to eradicating terrorism across Nigeria, saying operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups would continue with renewed determination until lasting peace is achieved in the North East and other affected regions.

The army also appealed to the public and the media to respect the privacy of the deceased soldiers’ families by refraining from sharing graphic images of the casualties on social media. Lieutenant Colonel Anele said such restraint would uphold the dignity of the fallen heroes and give their families time to receive official notifications.

The incident underscores the continued security challenges in the North East, where Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have waged an insurgency for more than a decade.

While the military has made significant progress in reclaiming territories and weakening the terrorist networks, occasional clashes and ambushes still result in casualties among troops and civilians.

For now, the army says it remains undeterred  vowing that the blood of its fallen heroes will only strengthen its resolve to end terrorism once and for all.