Boko Haram terrorists have killed the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Aliyu Paiko, along with several soldiers, during an attack in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Appolonia Anele, confirmed this in a statement on Monday.
Anele explained that soldiers from Operation Hadin Kai stopped a planned terrorist attack but lost some men in the fierce battle.
“Troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on 17 October 2025 successfully foiled an attack planned by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
“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,” the statement read.
Anele added that the troops found and destroyed several Boko Haram camps in the area, stopping the terrorists from attacking civilians and disturbing daily life.
“During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight, neutralised several, while others fled with injuries,” she added.
She called the fallen soldiers heroes who gave their lives for the peace and safety of the country and said their memory would always be honoured.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to honour the weight of their sacrifices. Their loss reminds us of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation,” the statement said.
It also said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, sent his condolences to the families of the dead soldiers, describing them as “fathers, brothers, and sons who showed immeasurable courage in the face of adversity.”
Oluyede restated the army’s commitment to completely defeat all terrorists until peace is restored in the region and across Nigeria.
The army also appealed to the public and the media not to share pictures of the fallen soldiers until their families have been informed, to protect their dignity and respect their loved ones.
In May, two soldiers were killed by bandits in an attack on Ijaha Ikobi, a community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
A resident, identified only as Adakole, claimed the attackers also took away military weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and a submachine gun.
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