Gallant Soldiers Pay Supreme Price as Troops Crush Terrorist Networks, Foil Suicide VBIED Attacks at Timbuktu Triangle
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded a decisive but costly victory in Nigeria’s North East, neutralising scores of insurgents and dismantling key terrorist strongholds within the notorious Timbuktu Triangle.
The successful offensive, which led to the destruction of major terrorist logistics hubs and the discovery of mass graves, was however marked by the loss of gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who paid the supreme price while repelling a desperate suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack.
In a statement issued on January 20, 2026, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed that despite the casualties, troops have retained total dominance over the cleared areas and continued to press their advantage against fleeing terrorists.
According to the statement, the high-intensity operation saw advancing forces overrun and dominate several key insurgent enclaves, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas. Troops engaged retreating terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon positions and flee.
The extent of the insurgents’ losses became evident during follow-up clearance operations, when troops uncovered mass graves containing about 20 terrorist bodies, allegedly buried by their accomplices in an attempt to conceal the scale of the defeat.
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The operation took a critical turn on January 20 as troops consolidated their positions about six kilometres north of Chilaria. At that point, the unit came under attack from two VBIEDs intended to inflict maximum casualties on advancing forces.
Through swift reaction and coordinated fire, troops successfully neutralised the first explosive-laden vehicle before it could reach their defensive lines. However, a second vehicle managed to breach the perimeter and detonated, damaging logistics platforms and leading to casualties.
“It was during this fierce encounter that some of our gallant soldiers and CJTF members paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” the statement said.
Following the explosion, medical evacuation procedures were immediately activated. Helicopters from Nigerian Army Aviation airlifted the wounded to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital in Maiduguri, while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI maintained continuous aerial surveillance to prevent further attacks on rescue teams.
With air cover in place, ground forces continued mopping-up operations, pursuing and neutralising remaining terrorist elements attempting to escape the area.
Military authorities said morale across the theatre remains high despite the loss of personnel, noting that the successful dismantling of the terrorist networks has dealt a significant blow to the insurgents’ ability to plan and execute large-scale attacks in the Borno axis.
The Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace to the North East, vowing that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would not be in vain as operations continue to degrade terrorist capabilities across the region.
By PRNigeria
