A senior Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Paiko, has been killed in a brutal ambush by Boko Haram insurgents terrorising vulnerable communities in Borno State.
The slain officer was reportedly leading a team of soldiers in a fierce gun battle when his unit came under intense fire from the extremists.
Military sources said the soldiers fought bravely to repel the coordinated assault by the insurgents, successfully preventing what could have been a devastating attack on nearby communities.
The deadly encounter occurred in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, during an operation under Operation Hadin Kai. The troops were part of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade deployed to clear Boko Haram hideouts in the region.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Major Appolonia Anele, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday, describing the late Lt. Col. Paiko as “a courageous commander who stood his ground until the very end.”
“Our men displayed exceptional bravery during the firefight around the Kashimri axis. Unfortunately, the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Paiko, and a few of our gallant soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice defending the country,” Anele said.
She added that the operation not only thwarted the insurgents’ plans but also led to the destruction of several terrorist hideouts and the neutralisation of many fighters.
“The troops’ resilience ensured that Boko Haram’s attempt to destabilise the region failed,” she noted.
The Army spokesperson praised the fallen soldiers, calling them “national heroes whose selflessness embodies the spirit of the Nigerian Army.”
She reaffirmed that military operations in the northeast would continue relentlessly until every terrorist stronghold is dismantled.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the late Lt. Col. Paiko as “a leader who led from the front and inspired courage among his men.”
“Their bravery will not be forgotten. The Nigerian Army will continue to honour their memory by intensifying operations against all terrorist elements,” Oluyede said.
The Army further appealed to Nigerians and the media to respect the privacy of the deceased soldiers’ families by refraining from posting their images online until official notifications are completed.
The latest incident follows several similar assaults on security forces across the country, underscoring the enduring challenge of ending terrorism in Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions.
