A group of Boko Haram insurgents has killed the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, along with several other soldiers during a clash in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Major Appolonia Anele, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Anele, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, successfully prevented a planned terrorist attack on October 17, 2025, but suffered casualties during the fierce confrontation.
“The 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,” Anele stated.
She explained that the troops destroyed several Boko Haram hideouts, disrupting the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and destabilize the region.
“During the operation, our forces engaged the terrorists in an intense gunfight, neutralised many of them, while others fled with injuries,” she added.
Major Anele described the fallen soldiers as heroes who sacrificed their lives for national peace and stability, assuring that the Nigerian Army would always honour their memory.
“Their sacrifices strengthen our commitment to ending terrorism in Nigeria. The Nigerian Army will continue to recognise their courage and dedication,” the statement added.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, describing them as courageous men who gave their lives in service to the nation.
“They were fathers, brothers, and sons who showed exceptional bravery in the face of danger. The Nigerian Army remains determined to eliminate all terrorist threats and restore peace and normalcy across the country,” he said.
The Army also urged members of the public and media to refrain from circulating images of the deceased soldiers until their families have been officially informed, in order to protect their dignity and the privacy of their loved ones.
In a related development, two soldiers were killed in May 2025 by armed bandits during an attack on Ijaha Ikobi community in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, where the assailants reportedly made away with two AK-47 rifles and a submachine gun.
