A senior Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, has been killed alongside several soldiers following a fierce encounter with Boko Haram terrorists in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government, Borno State.
The tragic incident occurred during an operation by troops of Operation Hadin Kai who successfully repelled a planned large-scale assault by insurgents but suffered significant losses in the process.
Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Major Appolonia Anele, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, describing the confrontation as “a brave stand that ultimately foiled the terrorists’ plot to wreak havoc on innocent communities.”
“Our troops under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade courageously engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of fire around the Kashimri axis.
“Unfortunately, the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Paiko, and a few of our gallant men made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Anele said.
According to the Army spokesperson, the soldiers not only stopped the planned invasion but also destroyed multiple Boko Haram hideouts in the area, thereby frustrating the insurgents’ destabilise the region.
“The troops neutralized several of the terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds. Our forces remain vigilant and resolute in their mission to eliminate the threat of terrorism from the northeast,” Anele added.
She hailed the fallen soldiers as national heroes whose sacrifice represents “the unbreakable spirit of the Nigerian Army and its determination to defend the nation’s territorial integrity.”
In a show of solidarity, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, extended his condolences to the bereaved families, describing the late Paiko and his men as “fathers, brothers, and sons who displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of danger.”
“Their courage and dedication will forever be remembered. The Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its pursuit of every terrorist element until lasting peace is restored across Nigeria,” Oluyede said.
The Army also appealed to citizens and the media to respect the privacy of the fallen soldiers’ families by refraining from sharing their images online until next of kin have been duly notified.
The latest attack adds to the string of assaults on security personnel in the country. Earlier in May, bandits killed two soldiers in Benue State’s Apa Local Government Area, carting away their rifles and ammunition.
Security analysts say the renewed violence highlights the persistent threat posed by insurgents despite recent military gains. However, authorities maintain that operations in the northeast will continue until terrorism is completely defeated.