Tragedy struck the Nigerian Army at the weekend following an ambush on the convoy of troops around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, killing a Lieutenant Colonel and eight others.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident on Monday, explaining that the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko, along with several soldiers, were killeed during the fierce battle in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
Militarynews Online confirm that nine persons including six soldiers and three members of the civilian Joint Task Force.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the tragic incident in a statement on Monday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel. Appolonia Anele, who described the fallen soldiers as heroes who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation.
According to the statement, troops of Operation Hadin Kai under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade successfully foiled a planned attack by Boko Haram insurgents on 17 October 2025, but suffered casualties in the process.
“Troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on 17 October 2025 successfully foiled an attack planned by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
“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,” Anele said.
She noted that the troops located and destroyed several Boko Haram camps in the area, frustrating the insurgents’ efforts to launch attacks on civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities.
“During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight, neutralised several, while others fled with injuries,” she added.
Maj. Anele hailed the fallen soldiers as patriots whose sacrifices will not be forgotten, assuring that the Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate terrorism and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to honour the weight of their sacrifices. Their loss reminds us of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation,” she stated.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, describing them as “fathers, brothers, and sons who showed immeasurable courage in the face of adversity.”
Oluyede reaffirmed the army’s commitment to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until peace and stability are fully restored across Nigeria.
The statement also urged the public and the media to refrain from sharing images of the fallen soldiers until their next of kin have been duly informed, in order to respect their dignity and the privacy of their families.
