Army Loses Lieutenant Colonel, Others As Troops Foil Terrorist Attack In Borno

The Nigerian Army says troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on 17 Oct 2025 successfully foiled an attack planned by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.

It said that the troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area.

It, however, said that a lieutenant colonel and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price during a fierce gunfight.

“During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralised several, while others suffered injuries.

“However, the encounter took its toll on our side, as the Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price, as they fell in battle.

“These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever,” the army said in a statement signed by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele.

The Nigerian Army says it will continue to honour the weight of their sacrifices, as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, hereby extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the departed.

“They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief,” it stated.

Oluyede also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace and normalcy are restored in the region and the nation by extension.

“In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed.

“This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protect the privacy of their families,” it added.