22 Soldiers, Over 70 Insurgents Killed in Borno Counterterrorism Operation – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of 22 soldiers and over 70 insurgents during an ongoing military operation targeting terrorist strongholds in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

The operation, spearheaded by troops under Operation Hadin Kai, commenced on January 16, 2025, and focuses on dismantling terrorist enclaves in the region.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, highlighted the operation’s success in neutralizing key insurgent figures, including Talha, a Terrorist Special Forces Commander; Mallam Umar, the Operations Commander; and Abu Yazeed, the Brigade Commander.

“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast of the country conducted a clearance operation in a renowned terrorist stronghold and enclave known as the Timbuktu Triangle.

The three-pronged operation aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence commenced on January 16 and is ongoing,” Maj. Gen. Buba stated.

He further revealed that insurgents resorted to lethal tactics, deploying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers, and drones to resist military advances. Despite these challenges, troops demonstrated tactical superiority, successfully repelling several attacks and shooting down drones.

While the operation achieved significant gains, the military acknowledged the loss of 22 soldiers, with several others sustaining injuries. Maj. Gen. Buba called for media restraint in publishing the names of fallen soldiers, emphasizing the need for formal family notification before public disclosure.

“The media is enjoined to resist publishing names of troop casualties to allow the formal notification of their next of kin,” he added.

This clearance operation underscores the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian military to combat terrorism in the Northeast and dismantle remaining insurgent strongholds in the region.