Garba Mohammed
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Lt. Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko, Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, alongside several soldiers, following a fierce confrontation with Boko Haram insurgents in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, said troops under Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a planned terrorist assault but suffered heavy casualties in the process.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, on October 17, 2025, thwarted an attempted assault by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area. Unfortunately, the encounter came at a cost, as the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other gallant soldiers paid the supreme price,” the statement read.
Lt. Col. Anele explained that the troops engaged the insurgents in intense combat, neutralising several terrorists and destroying multiple hideouts in the region. She said the operation prevented what could have been a devastating attack on civilians and key infrastructure in Bama and surrounding communities.
“The bravery of our troops frustrated the terrorists’ plans to disrupt peace and socio-economic activities. Some of the fleeing insurgents sustained gunshot wounds as our forces maintained operational dominance,” she added.
The Army spokesperson described the fallen officers as heroes whose sacrifices embody the spirit of service, courage, and patriotism.
“The Nigerian Army deeply mourns these courageous men. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. We will continue to honour their memory as we intensify efforts to eradicate terrorism from our nation,” she stated.
Lt. Col. Anele also disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has extended his condolences to the bereaved families, describing the late officers and soldiers as “fathers, brothers, and sons who showed exceptional courage in the face of danger.”
Lt. Gen. Oluyede reaffirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the offensive against terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are achieved in the North-East and across Nigeria.
The Army further urged the public and media organisations to refrain from circulating images of the fallen soldiers until their next of kin have been duly notified, in order to preserve their dignity and respect their families’ privacy.
Lt. Col. Anele also confirmed the story independently to The Journal Nigeria in a WhatsApp message.
Read the full statement below as received independently from the Army spokesperson.
TROOPS FOIL TERRORISTS’ ATTACK IN BORNO
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on 17 Oct 2025 successfully foiled an attack planned by Boko Haram terrorists around Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
The troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area. During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralized several, while others suffered injuries.
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. These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever. The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, hereby extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the departed. They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief. The Chief of Army Staff also reaffirms the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace and normalcy are restored in the region and the nation by extension.
In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed. This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protect the privacy of their families.
APPOLONIA ANELE
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
20 October 2025