The Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and an undisclosed number of soldiers have been killed in an encounter with terrorists in Borno state.
However, it was learnt that troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on the 17th October, 2025 later, successfully repelled the Boko Haram terrorists around Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area of the State.
According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele disclosed in a statement in Abuja on Monday that troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area.
During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralized several, while others suffered injuries.
“However, the encounter took its toll on our side, as the Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price, as they fell in battle.
“These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever. The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, hereby extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the departed.
“They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief.
“The Chief of Army Staff also reaffirms the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace and normalcy are restored in the region and the nation by extension.
“In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed.
“This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protecting the privacy of their families,” Lt Col Anele reiterated.
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