By Abdulkareem Haruna

The Nigerian military has confirmed the tragic loss of 22 soldiers during recent operations against insurgents in the North East, specifically in the infamous Timbuktu Triangle. This announcement comes in response to earlier media reports claiming that a military base was dislodged following an ambush in the remote border community of Malumfatori.

In a press release, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, acknowledged the casualties but firmly refuted claims of a base being compromised. “While we mourn the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice, I want to clarify that although there was an attack resulting in substantial losses, it did not occur at the reported location and did not dislodge any military base,” he stated.

The operation, part of Operation HADIN KAI, began on January 16 and is focused on dismantling the entrenched presence of insurgents in the region. General Buba highlighted the military’s successes during these operations, revealing that over 70 terrorists, including three high-ranking commanders—Talha, Mallam Umar, and Abu Yazeed—were neutralized.

“Our troops are well-prepared to counter the tactics employed by the terrorists, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and suicide bombers,” General Buba emphasized. “We have successfully thwarted numerous attacks, including the downing of amateur drones used by the insurgents.”

The military has also urged media outlets to refrain from publishing the names of the deceased soldiers until their next of kin have been formally notified, emphasizing the need for sensitivity surrounding these losses.

As the operation continues, the military remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the nation. “We will keep the public informed of our progress,” General Buba concluded, reaffirming the military’s resolve in the ongoing fight against insurgency.