Nigerian Army Mourns Commanding Officer, Soldiers Killed Repelling Terrorist Attack in Borno
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the deaths of Lt.-Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko, Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, and several soldiers who were killed while repelling a terrorist attack in Bama, Borno State, on October 17.
In a statement on Monday, Army spokesperson Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele said the fallen soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice during a fierce encounter with Boko Haram insurgents.
“Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price as they fell in battle,” Anele said. “These brave heroes fought for the peace of our nation, and their legacies will endure forever. Their loss strengthens our resolve to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.”
Anele described the fallen personnel as “not just soldiers, but fathers, brothers, and sons who displayed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity.”
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and reiterated the Army’s commitment to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until peace and normalcy are fully restored in the region and the country.
Anele also urged the public and media to avoid sharing images of the fallen personnel until their next of kin are notified, in order to preserve dignity and protect family privacy.
The officer and soldiers lost their lives while troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, successfully thwarted an attempted Boko Haram attack in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area.
Earlier operations had located and destroyed several Boko Haram camps in the area, frustrating terrorist plans to attack civilians and disrupt local socio-economic activities. Many insurgents were killed or injured in the ensuing gun battle.
