Nigerian Army loses officer, soldiers in battle against Boko Haram in Borno

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigerian Army has confirmed that it lost a lieutenant colonel and an undisclosed number of soldiers in battle against Boko Haram terrorists around Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.

Apollonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
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According to the statement the officer and the soldiers fell when 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 Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area

She added that the troops 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.

The Army spokesperson added that during the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralized 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 Nigerian Army will continue to honor 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.

“The Chief of Army Staff also reaffirms 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,” Apollonia said in the statement.