OVER 20 Nigerian Army personnel, including a commanding officer and two senior officers, have reportedly been killed following a Boko Haram attack in Borno State.
Many soldiers also remain unaccounted for after the assault on Friday, 24 January 2025.
According to reports by SaharaReporters, the attack targeted the 149 Battalion in Malam-Fatori, the administrative centre of Abadam Local Government Area, near the border with Niger Republic.
The area, which houses thousands displaced by the insurgency, saw the terrorists launch an offensive using multiple gun trucks.
Eyewitnesses stated that the attackers burned buildings and military vehicles, leaving numerous soldiers injured. Tragically, the battalion’s commanding officer, along with the base medical director and another senior officer, were confirmed dead.
A source disclosed, “The 25 Task Force Brigade was attacked during the weekend with significant casualties. So far, over seven bodies have been recovered.”
Earlier in the week, Boko Haram also attacked the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno, causing yet-to-be-determined fatalities and leaving many missing. ISWAP later claimed responsibility, sharing images of their fighters assaulting the facility.
However, counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama disputed claims that Malam-Fatori’s military base was overrun.
In a statement shared on his X account, Makama clarified, “Troops came under a suicide attack while conducting operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, Yobe, and not at a static military base.”
Makama noted that the attack involved a Person-Borne Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) deployed by ISWAP fighters during an offensive maneuver resulting in the death of the commanding officer and others. He urged the public to disregard reports that the Malam-Fatori base had been dislodged.
His words: “No attack in Malam Fatori Military Base: Troops came under suicide attack while fighting ISWAP in Timbuktu Triangle, Yobe.
”Recent reports have claimed that Boko Haram insurgents attacked and dislodged a military base in Malam-Fatori, Borno State, resulting in significant casualties among Nigerian Army personnel.
”However, this report is not correct as the 149 Battalion mentioned is actually part of Sector 2 operations in Yobe State, not stationed in Malam-Fatori.
“The troops of the 149 Battalion were conducting an operation in the Timbuktu Triangle when they came under a suicide attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters who deployed a Person Borne Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device against the troops.
“Tragically, the Commanding Officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, and a few others lost their lives during this encounter. This incident occurred during an offensive maneuver, into the Timbuktu Triangle and not at a static military base.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the unfortunate incident. A statement from the Army Headquarters posted on its Facebook page on Sunday is hereunder reproduced.
UPDATE ON TERRORIST ATTACK ON TROOPS IN THE TIMBUKTU TRIANGLE
1. On 16 January 2025, troops of Operation HADIN KAI commenced Operation DESERT SANITY IV as part of a wider measure to completely defeat the terrorists in the North East Region. In the course of the operation, troops dislodged terrorists from their enclaves in Jemyeri, Abulam, Agum and Digamari. Troops further stormed ISWAP training camp at Garin Baban Alhassan, destroyed the camp and neutralized 18 including 3 notorious commanders identified as Talha, the ISWAP women leader, Mallam Umar the RPG trainer and Abu Yazeed the ISWAP Brigade Commander in the Timbuktu Triangle.
On 22 January 2025 at about 2:40pm, troops of 199 SF Bn, Combat Teams 6 and 8 married up at Gardiri for the final onslaught on the notorious terrorist enclave. As precursor operations, troops cleared terrorist camps at Burbur, Lamisuri, Kassachia and Buk destroying all life-supporting structures within these strongholds. It is worthy to state that the terrorists were placed on the backfoot as they were on the run all through seeking to find new hideouts within the Timbuktu Triangle.
2. Due to the pressure on the terrorists and a sign of desperation and last resort, on 24 January 2025 at about 7:10pm, the terrorists cowardly rammed into troops at their harbour position with a Vehicle Borne IED at Gardiri base killing a Commanding Officer, 2 officers and some of our very brave men while injuring 20 others. Conversely and conservatively too, the troops neutralised more than 60 of the terrorists during the one-week-long operation. Also, 14 AK 47 rifles, 6 RPG tubes, 18 motorcycles and 24 AK 47 magazines were recovered by our gallant warriors.
3. Based on this development, a comprehensive review of the operation is being carried out to enable a re-launch. Meanwhile, It is pertinent to set the records straight that there was no terrorist activity at Malam Fatori which led to casualty on own troops as widely circulated in some media outlets by mischief makers. The only recorded incident occurred at the Timbuktu Triangle in Damboa LGA of Borno State as narrated earlier. The media report making the rounds is therefore fake, baseless and should be disregarded.
4. May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. Amen. Adieu gallant warriors!
•Additional report courtesy of platinumpost.news
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