Troops foil boko haram attack in Borno, Commanding Officer among fallen heroes
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, have successfully repelled a planned Boko Haram terrorist attack around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area in Borno State.
The operation, which took place on 17 October 2025, saw Nigerian forces locate and destroy identified Boko Haram camps in the region, effectively thwarting the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area.
According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, neutralizing several terrorists, while others fled with injuries.
However, the operation came at a heavy cost. The Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, alongside a number of other brave soldiers, lost their lives during the confrontation.
“These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever,” the statement read. “The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices, as their loss serves as a solemn reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out terrorism in Nigeria.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, describing them as “not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who displayed immeasurable courage in the face of adversity.”
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to relentlessly pursue all terrorist elements until peace and stability are fully restored in the North-East and across the country.
In a show of respect and compassion, the Nigerian Army also urged members of the public and media to refrain from sharing images of fallen personnel until their next of kin have been formally notified. This, the Army said, is aimed at preserving the dignity of the fallen and respecting the privacy of their grieving families.
