By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian military has confirmed the loss of 22 soldiers who were killed during an intense clearance operation targeting the notorious Timbuktu Triangle in Northeast Nigeria, a known stronghold of terrorist activity.
Nigerian Pilot had reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have been engaged in a high-stakes mission since January 16, aimed at dismantling terrorist presence and neutralizing key leaders in the region.
The operation, which continues to make significant progress, has now seen the deaths of 22 soldiers, who were tragically killed in action while confronting some of the deadliest tactics employed by the insurgents.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba in a statement late Sunday noted that the terrorists launched multiple assaults, including using Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, suicide bombers, and explosive-laden vehicles to fend off the military’s advances.
He said despite the extreme danger and heavy resistance, the soldiers fought valiantly, neutralizing over 70 terrorists, including three high-ranking commanders: Talha, the Terrorist Special Forces Commander; Mallam Umar, the Terrorist Operations Commander; and Abu Yazeed, the Terrorist Brigade Commander.
“Troops already familiar with the terrorist tactics thwarted several terrorist attempts, including shooting down the amateur drones used by the terrorist.
“Overall, during the course of the operations, troops sadly recorded 22 killed in action casualties with several others wounded in action. On this account, the media is enjoined to resist publishing names of troop casualties to allow the formal notification of their next of kin,” Buba said.
