The Nigerian Armed Forces have confirmed the unfortunate loss of 22 personnel during a high-stakes military operation conducted within the volatile North-East region. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed that this tragic event transpired during a sweeping offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist elements entrenched in the notorious Timbuktu Triangle, a stronghold infamous for harboring insurgents.
“Regrettably, in the course of this operation, our forces sustained 22 fatalities in action, alongside numerous wounded troops,” revealed Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, in a formal statement on Sunday.
The operation, which unfolded in three coordinated phases, was launched on January 16 and continues as part of broader counter-insurgency measures. Despite the setbacks, the troops demonstrated unwavering resilience, eliminating over 70 insurgents, including several high-ranking terrorist commanders.
“Throughout the clearance mission, our forces encountered multiple engagements with hostile combatants. These encounters resulted in the neutralization of over 70 adversaries, including three prominent commanders: TALHA, identified as the Terrorist Special Forces Commander; Mallam UMAR, the Operations Commander; and ABU YAZEED, serving as the Brigade Commander,” Buba elaborated.
The Defence Headquarters further noted that the insurgents deployed a variety of lethal tactics in their bid to repel the advancing troops. These included the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers equipped with Person-Borne IEDs, and Vehicle-Borne IEDs.
“Our personnel, adept at countering terrorist stratagems, successfully thwarted numerous assaults, including shooting down improvised drones operated by the insurgents,” the DHQ statement emphasized.
This operation is part of the military’s ongoing campaign against terrorism in a conflict that has spanned over 15 years, claiming an estimated 40,000 lives and displacing nearly two million individuals from their homes in Nigeria’s northeastern region.
The escalating violence has also spilled into neighboring nations such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting the establishment of a multinational joint task force to combat the militant threat.
Earlier in July, seven soldiers tragically lost their lives when their convoy struck a landmine in an area dominated by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The Nigerian military remains resolute in its mission to restore stability and security in the face of these formidable challenges.
