Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign suffered a fresh setback after a deadly attack struck a military convoy, leaving multiple casualties and damaging critical assets deployed for ongoing operations.
Security sources confirmed that five soldiers lost their lives when an explosives-laden vehicle slammed into the convoy during a return movement from a clearance mission.
Several other troops sustained injuries and were evacuated for treatment.
Moreover, two senior officers, a major and a lieutenant, were among those affected, underscoring the severity of the incident and its impact on command elements within the operation.
A serving officer familiar with the incident said the blast crippled armoured and logistics vehicles supporting weeks-long offensives.
“We lost key equipment used for both protection and fire support, but the troops quickly reorganised,” he said.
According to the sources, the attackers deployed a vehicle packed with explosives, targeting the convoy in a calculated strike designed to disrupt momentum.
However, commanders insist the broader mission remains intact.
Another officer, who requested anonymity, said operational focus had not shifted.
“Setbacks happen in war, but our resolve is unchanged. The commander is safe, morale is steady, and the mission continues,” he said.
Subsequently, the remains of the fallen soldiers were airlifted to Maiduguri, while injured personnel received specialist medical care at military facilities.
The attack occurred in the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State, a long-standing insurgent hideout notorious for previous ambushes, including the killing of a senior officer in earlier years.
Notably, the bombing came shortly after the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, announced significant gains under Operation Desert Sanity, including the dismantling of multiple terrorist camps and the recovery of weapons and supplies.
In a recent briefing, the operation’s spokesperson said troops, supported by air assets, had sustained pressure on insurgent enclaves despite armed drone attacks.
“Air-ground coordination ensured real-time tracking, denied reinforcements, and allowed our forces to retain the initiative,” he said.
Furthermore, military authorities said operations would continue until threats are neutralised.
“Our objective remains clear: protect civilians, degrade terrorist capacity, and restore lasting stability in the North-East,” a senior defence source said.