Army Commander, other Soldiers Killed by gunmen in counter terrorism operation
Army Commander, other Soldiers Killed by gunmen in counter terrorism operation
The Nigerian Army has announced the deaths of a Lieutenant Colonel and other soldiers in recent counter-terror operations in Borno State, hailing them as “brave heroes.”
In a statement, the Army’s Director of Public Relations, Lt-Col. Appolonia Anele, said the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, “paid the supreme price during battle with terrorists on October 17, 2025,” along with several other soldiers.
She called on the public and media to avoid sharing images of fallen personnel until their families have been officially notified, stressing the importance of maintaining dignity and privacy.
The statement highlighted that troops of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, successfully foiled a planned Boko Haram attack near the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government.
The soldiers located and destroyed Boko Haram camps, thwarting attacks on civilians and safeguarding local socio-economic activities.
During the mission, troops engaged in heavy gunfire with the terrorists, neutralising several while others sustained 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 statement said.
Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, extended condolences to the families of the fallen, describing them as “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 reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to relentlessly pursue all terrorist elements until lasting peace and normalcy are restored in Borno and across the nation.
The Army reiterated its call for restraint in sharing images of fallen personnel, highlighting the importance of “preserving the dignity of such fallen heroes and protecting the privacy of their families.”
