Fierce Battle in Timbuktu Triangle Leaves 22 Soldiers, 70+ Insurgents Dead
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the deaths of 22 soldiers and over 70 insurgents during an ongoing military operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist stronghold in Borno State.
The operation, led by troops under Operation Hadin Kai, began on January 16, 2025, with the aim of dismantling terrorist enclaves in the region.
In a statement released on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, detailed the progress of the mission, highlighting several intense encounters with insurgents. Among the insurgents killed were three high-ranking commanders: Talha (Terrorist Special Forces Commander), Mallam Umar (Operations Commander), and Abu Yazeed (Brigade Commander).
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East conducted a clearance operation targeting a notorious terrorist stronghold known as Timbuktu Triangle. This three-pronged operation, aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence, commenced on January 16 and remains ongoing,” Buba stated.
He further explained that the insurgents employed various lethal tactics to resist the troops, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suicide bombers, and drones. Despite these challenges, the troops demonstrated tactical superiority, thwarting multiple terrorist attempts and even shooting down amateur drones used by the insurgents.
“During the operations, the terrorists deployed IEDs, Person-Borne IEDs (suicide bombers), and Vehicle-Borne IEDs (explosive-laden vehicles) to hinder troop advancement. However, the troops, already familiar with these tactics, successfully countered these attempts,” he added.
While acknowledging the loss of 22 soldiers, Buba emphasized the importance of respecting the privacy of fallen soldiers' families.
“Unfortunately, 22 soldiers were killed in action, and several others sustained injuries. We appeal to the media to refrain from publishing the names of the casualties to allow proper notification of their next of kin,” Buba said.
The operation underscores the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces to combat terrorism and restore peace to the North-East region.
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