The Nigerian Army has confirmed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade successfully repelled a planned Boko Haram attack in the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, on October 17, 2025.
According to a statement signed by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the troops launched a proactive offensive that located and destroyed several identified Boko Haram hideouts in the area, effectively thwarting the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities.
During the operation, the soldiers engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, neutralising several terrorists while others fled with injuries. However, the army confirmed that the encounter also resulted in the loss of some of its personnel, including the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, who was killed in action alongside a few other brave soldiers.
“These gallant officers and men fought courageously for the peace and stability of our great nation. Their legacies shall endure forever,” the army stated.
The statement added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of all officers and soldiers, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen heroes.
“They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who displayed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity. We stand together with their families in this time of grief,” the statement read.
Lieutenant General Oluyede reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to eliminate all terrorist elements and restore lasting peace and stability across the region and the nation at large.
In a note of respect, the army urged the public and the media to refrain from sharing or publishing images of fallen personnel until their next of kin have been officially notified, stressing that this measure is necessary to preserve the dignity of the deceased and protect the privacy of their families.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to honour the weight of their sacrifices and remain steadfast in the fight against terrorism,” the statement concluded.
