The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of 22 soldiers and more than 70 insurgents in an ongoing military operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist stronghold in Borno State.
The operation, which is part of the efforts of Operation Hadin Kai, began on January 16, 2025, and has aimed at dismantling insurgent enclaves in the area.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, provided an update on the operation, noting that it has involved multiple encounters with terrorists. Buba highlighted that among the insurgents killed were three senior commanders: Talha, the Terrorist Special Forces Commander; Mallam Umar, the Terrorist Operations Commander; and Abu Yazeed, the Brigade Commander.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast of the country conducted a clearance operation to a renowned terrorist stronghold and enclave known as the Timbuktu Triangle. The three-pronged operation aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence within the triangle commenced on 16 Jan 25 till date,” Buba said.
“Troops recorded several encounters with terrorists during the course of the clearance operations, which resulted in over 70 terrorist combatants, including three notable terrorist commanders, neutralised. The terrorist commanders neutralised include and are not limited to the following: TALHA (Terrorist Special Forces Commander), Mallam UMAR (Terrorist Operations commander), and ABU YAZEED (Terrorist Brigade Commander).”
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Buba also mentioned that the terrorists used several lethal tactics during the operations, such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers, and drones. However, the troops were able to counter these tactics and maintain tactical superiority.
“Meanwhile, during the operations, the terrorist deployed Improvised Explosive Devices, Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers) as well as Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles) to ward off troops’ advance and attacks,” Buba explained. “Troops already familiar with the terrorist tactics thwarted several terrorist attempts, including shooting down the amateur drones used by the terrorists.”
Despite the successes of the operation, the military suffered the loss of 22 soldiers, with several others wounded. Buba urged the media to exercise caution in publishing the names of the fallen soldiers, to ensure their families are formally notified first.
“Overall, during the course of the operations, troops sadly recorded 22 killed in action casualties with several others wounded in action. On this account, the media is enjoined to resist publishing names of troop casualties to allow the formal notification of their next of kin,” Buba concluded.