Military Confirms Death Of 22 Soldiers, Killing Of 70 Terrorists In North-East

The Nigerian military has confirmed the loss of 22 soldiers during a clearance operation targeting a notorious terrorist stronghold in the North-East region, known as Timbuktu Triangle.

In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, revealed that the operation, which began on January 16, was a three-pronged offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist activities in the area.

“Overall, during the course of the operations, troops sadly recorded 22 killed in action casualties with several others wounded in action,” Buba stated.

Despite the losses, the military reported substantial success, neutralizing over 70 terrorists, including three key commanders.

The neutralized commanders were identified as: Talha, Terrorist Special Forces Commander; Mallam Umar, Terrorist Operations Commander; Abu Yazeed, Terrorist Brigade Commander.

The operation saw multiple encounters with terrorists, who deployed a range of tactics, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers, and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).

However, troops successfully thwarted these attacks and even shot down several amateur drones used by the terrorists.

The insurgency, which began 15 years ago, has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced approximately two million people in the region.

The violence, led by groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has also spread into neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting the formation of a regional coalition to combat the militants.

In July 2024, seven soldiers lost their lives after their vehicle struck a landmine in a village with ISWAP presence, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by troops in the region.

The Defence Headquarters reiterated its commitment to eradicating terrorist activities in the country.

“Troops already familiar with the terrorist tactics thwarted several terrorist attempts,” Buba said, highlighting the military’s resilience in the face of evolving threats.