The commanding officer of 202 Tank Battalion, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Paiko, and a few other soldiers were killed in troops’ attempts to foil a planned attack by Boko Haram terrorists around Kashimri in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

The Nigerian Army said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the operation took place on October 17 under the coordination of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade.

Army spokesperson Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele stated that the troops acted on intelligence that terrorists were regrouping to launch attacks on civilian communities and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area.

Ms Anele added, “The troops swiftly moved to the suspected locations and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun duel, neutralising several of them while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“The operation also led to the destruction of identified Boko Haram camps.”

She said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had extended condolences to the families of the fallen heroes, describing them as “patriots who demonstrated exceptional courage in defence of the nation.”

Ms Anele quoted the COAS as saying, “Their sacrifices would never be in vain. The Nigerian Army remains committed to pursuing all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace is restored in the North-East and across the country.”

The army spokesperson appealed to the public and the media to refrain from circulating images of deceased personnel until their next of kin have been duly informed.

According to her, it is to protect the dignity of the fallen heroes and the privacy of their families. 

(NAN)