The Nigerian Army has announced the loss of 22 soldiers in an ongoing military operation aimed at dismantling terrorist activities in the Timbuktu Triangle, a well-known insurgent stronghold in Borno State. The operation, led by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, commenced on January 16 and has so far resulted in significant gains against the insurgents.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed that over 70 insurgents, including three high-ranking terrorist commanders, were neutralized during the operation.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the northeast of the country conducted a clearance operation targeting a notorious terrorist enclave known as the Timbuktu Triangle,” Buba said. “The three-pronged operation, aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence within the triangle, began on January 16 and is still ongoing.”
Buba identified the neutralized commanders as Talha, a special forces commander; Mallam Umar, a terrorist operations commander; and Abu Yazeed, a brigade commander. He added that the insurgents had deployed a variety of tactics, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers on foot (Person-Borne IEDs), and suicide bombers in vehicles (Vehicle-Borne IEDs), to resist the military’s advance.
“Troops, already familiar with these terrorist tactics, successfully thwarted multiple attempts to disrupt the operation, including the use of amateur drones deployed by the insurgents,” Buba stated.
Despite the success of the operation, the Nigerian Army recorded significant casualties. According to Buba, 22 soldiers were killed, while several others sustained injuries. He urged the media to exercise restraint in publishing the names of the fallen soldiers to allow time for their next of kin to be formally notified.
The Timbuktu Triangle has long been a hub for terrorist activities in the northeastern region, and the military’s sustained offensive in the area is part of broader efforts to restore peace and security.
The Nigerian Army called on citizens to remain supportive of the armed forces as they continue to combat insurgency and other forms of insecurity across the nation.
