Over 70 terrorists and three of their commanders hiding in a place called Timbuktu Triangle in the Northeast have been eliminated by troops attached to Operation Hadin Kai, Blueprint reports.
Findings also revealed that troops smoked them out during a clearance operation carried out by the combined air and ground troops, an effort that resulted in the killing of several of the criminals.
Some unconfirmed reports had said the military lost some 27 personnel including three officers, to some armed terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram/ ISWAP, at a military base in Malam-Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam local government area of Borno state.
…DHQ’s accounts
But in a statement Sunday, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, clarified that during the operation, the military lost 22 troops and not 27 as reported.
He said the terrorists’ Special Forces Commander known as TALHA was neutralised by the gallant troops.
Also, the terrorists’ operations commander whose name was given as Malam Umar and their brigade commander called Abu Yazeed, were also neutralised during the operation.
This development, Buba said, got other terrorists angry following which they deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to ward off troops advance and attacks.
Further to this, Buba said, the criminal elements also deployed Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers) as well as Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles) as a face-saving measure.
Buba said: “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in North East of the country conducted clearance operation to renowned terrorist stronghold and enclave known as Timbuktu Triangle.
“The three prong operation aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence with triangle commenced on 16 Jan 25 till date.”
The army general said troops were already used to the terrorists’ tactics of deploying IEDs, noting that it was the reason many attempts by the terrorists including shooting down what he called their “amateur drones,” were thwarted.
“Troops recorded several encounters with terrorists during the course of the clearance operations which result in over 70 terrorists combatants including 3 notable terrorist commandeneutralizedsed.
“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. On the whole, the operation is ongoing and the public will be updated on further developments in due course,” the statement added.
…What sources say
In yet another account by security sources, suspected Boko Haram/ ISWAP fighters reportedly killed a military commander, two other senior military officers and 17 soldiers at a military base in Malam – Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam local government area of Borno state Friday.
Bama is in Borno central while Malam- Fatori , in Abadam local government area in the northern part of the state is between Borno and Republic of Niger border.
Just few weeks ago, similar incident took place when some terrorists invaded a military base in Sabon Gari community of Damboa local government area of the state with the military recording some casualties.
Sources reported that the attackers, who stormed the Malam-Fatori military base, wreaked havoc for several hours on Friday, 24 January 2025, before dislodging the 149 Battalion. Survivors of the deadly attack reportedly fled to safety.
The intelligence sources who confirmed the attack added that the insurgents attacked the base with multiple gun trucks, saying the terrorists razed many buildings and military operational vehicles during the attack.
“Apart from the dead bodies recovered, many other soldiers were seriously injured while a yet-to-be ascertained number of personnel were still missing as of Saturday.
“The commanding officer of the battalion, two senior officers including the base medical director were among those killed.
“This comes a few days after the terror group launched a brutal attack on the military’s Forward Operating Base in the Damboa local government area of Borno state, killing a yet-to-be confirmed number of soldiers, with many believed to still be missing.
“25 Taskforce Brigade was attacked during the weekend with so many casualties, so far we have recovered over seven bodies. The terror group invaded the camp FOB Sabon Gari around 4am on Saturday, using various weapons,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, in the Gadan Gari attack in Bama, Modu Ari, a member of the civilian joint task force, said the insurgents stormed the fishing community on Wednesday at about 11:00am, and opened fire on the fishermen working in the area, killing at least 20.
Mustapha Kachallah, a resident, said his child was killed in the attack and that they had buried more than 15 people.
From November last year till date, there seems to be a resurgence of attacks by the terrorists from all corners of the state.
…Gunmen storm Kano community
In a related development, suspected kidnappers attacked Garo town in Kabo local government area of Kano state in the early hours of Sunday, abducting a young lady, Zainab, after extorting ₦8 million from her family.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, numbering 10, targeted the residence of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Auwal, in Garo Sabuwar Unguwa at about 1:20 a.m of the fateful day.
“Three of them were armed with guns, while the rest carried other weapons,” a reliable source revealed.
The attackers reportedly forced their way into the house by breaking through a smaller door. “They gathered the entire family in one place, creating an atmosphere of fear and panic,” another source recounted.
The head of the family, in a desperate plea for safety, negotiated with the gunmen as “he offered to meet their demands to protect his family. The kidnappers demanded money and were handed ₦8 million.”
Despite receiving the ransom, the criminals abducted the family’s eldest daughter, a secondary school graduate, before escaping.
The whereabouts of the abducted young lady remains unknown, as the kidnappers have yet to contact the family.
The incident has plunged the community into shock, with residents urging authorities to address the escalating insecurity in the area.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident.
“We have launched an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators,” he assured.
…Northern coalition lauds military
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has lauded the heroic efforts of Nigerian security forces for their recent successes in the ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism which have brought significant relief to many communities across the north.
In a statement Sunday, CNG national coordinator Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi said the feats, achieved through relentless and courageous onslaughts, demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces towards restoring peace and security across the country.
CNG noted that through the sustained military Operations Fansan Yamma, security forces have neutralised notorious terrorist elements within the Alawa Forest in Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
CNG noted that, “Similarly, in the North-west, troops eliminated key bandits, including fighters loyal to the infamous Bello Turji, as well as his second-in-command and seven key commanders. In the North-east, commendable efforts led to the elimination of Abu Iklima, a Boko Haram commander in Gaizuwa, Bama local government area of Borno state. These coordinated actions have dealt a decisive blow to the operational capabilities of these hardened but now demoralised criminal elements.
“CNG recognises and appreciates the sacrifices made by troops on the front lines, who risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of our people even at the cost of their lives. Their bravery and professionalism in confronting these criminals, even in the most dangerous hideouts, deserve our utmost respect, and gratitude.”
“It is imperative that the operations are extending to the hideouts of these criminals, weakening and decimating them and preventing their resurgence and attacking capabilities and possibilities.
“We urge the military and other security agencies to sustain and intensify their offensive operations as they demonstrated their unmatched and patriotic strength by taking the fight directly to the strongholds of these criminals and ensure that they are completely dismantled and unable to regroup,” it added.
While extolling the Service Chiefs and sister agencies as well as the minister of defence for their leadership to the frontline troops. the group also called for greater synergy between the federal and state governments, as well as improved coordination and cooperation among all security agencies towards eradicating terrorism and banditry.