Nigeria loses soldiers as troops foil terrorist attack in Borno
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade have successfully foiled Boko Haram terrorists attack around Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
Some of the troops, including the commanding officer, however, lost their lives in the encounter, a statement byLieutenant Colonel Apollonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said on Monday.
The troops had 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.
” 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 statement added.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, extended 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,” he was quoted as saying.
The Chief of Army Staff reaffirmed 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.
The statement advised members of the public and the media to refrain from sharing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations until their next of kin have been duly informed.
” This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protect the privacy of their families.”
