A suicide bomber has rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and injuring an unspecified number of troops.
Security sources confirmed to Daily Trust that two senior officers, a major and a lieutenant, were among those affected in the attack, which occurred on Tuesday as troops returned from a successful clearance operation.
One of the soldiers said the assault caused extensive damage to military hardware deployed for ongoing operations in the area.
“The attack caused significant damage to military equipment used for offensive and defensive operations in the weeks-long clearance operations,” the source said.
According to the sources, the terrorists used a car packed with explosives to ram into the convoy, destroying armoured and logistics vehicles.
“He said the terrorists used a car loaded with explosives to ram into the military convoy,” a source disclosed.
Another officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the casualties but said the operation remained on course.
“Yes! You know, every operation comes with setbacks, but we overcame it. Unfortunately, we lost five soldiers in the incident. Manga (the Commander) is hale and hearty and the operation continues,” he said.
It was gathered that the bodies of the slain soldiers have been flown to Maiduguri, while injured personnel were evacuated for medical treatment.
The Timbuktu Triangle is a notorious insurgent enclave where terrorists previously ambushed, captured and executed a senior military officer, Brigadier General Musa Uba.
The latest attack comes barely a day after troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, announced major gains in the area.
On Monday, the task force said it had cleared multiple terrorist camps and repelled drone attacks in the Timbuktu Triangle during the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity.
In a statement, the spokesman of the operation, Lt-Col Sani Uba, said arms and other equipment were recovered from the insurgents during the clearance operations.
He said, “On Sunday, 18 January 2026, troops advanced from their harbour area and conducted deliberate, intelligence-led operations across several identified terrorist enclaves, including Chilaria, Garin Faruk and Abirma.
“The operation was supported by the Air Component of OPHK, which provided persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over the axis. The air-to-ground synergy enabled real-time tracking of terrorist movement, deterred adversary reinforcement, and enhanced the precision and confidence of ground operations.
“During the operation, troops recovered several items of military significance, including Baofeng radios, phones, 5 x AK-47 magazines, several rounds of 7.62 × 39mm special ammunition and 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition, several Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, links of 12.7 × 108 mm ammunition, diesel powered grinding machines, large quantity of medical supplies, several bags of grains, pick up truck, underground logistics storage and Petroleum and Oil Lubricant (POL) dump which all further degraded the operational and logistical capability of the terrorists.
“At about midday, the advancing troops came under armed drone attacks by the terrorists. Despite this, the troops maintained momentum and continued the offensives. A second attempt in the evening was also decisively repelled, forcing the terrorists to withdraw, reaffirming troops’ dominance of the area.
“Despite sustained engagements, troop morale remains high, and fighting efficiency continues to be maintained. The general security situation in the area is assessed as calm but unpredictable, with troops remaining vigilant and at a high state of readiness.
“The Military High Command affirmed that the operations will continue as troops remain resolute in their mission to eliminate terrorist threats, protect civilians, and restore lasting peace and stability to the North East.”