In a tragic development, Boko Haram terrorists have ambushed and killed the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, along with several soldiers, during a violent confrontation in Kashimri, a community within Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Major Appolonia Anele.
Army Confirms Death of Lieutenant Colonel Paiko
According to Anele, troops under Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram fighters on October 17, 2025, but suffered casualties in the process.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, on 17 October 2025, successfully foiled a planned attack by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State,” the statement read.
“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.”
Terrorists’ Camps Destroyed
Anele explained that the troops launched a counteroffensive operation that led to the destruction of several Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating their plans to attack civilians and destabilize communities.
“During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight, neutralised several, while others fled with injuries,” she stated.
She praised the courage of the fallen soldiers, describing them as “heroes who gave their lives for the peace and stability of Nigeria.”
“The Nigerian Army will continue to honour the weight of their sacrifices. Their loss reminds us of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation,” the statement added.
Army Chief Mourns Fallen Soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.
He described the late commander and his men as “fathers, brothers, and sons who demonstrated immeasurable courage in the face of adversity.”
Oluyede reiterated the Army’s determination to relentlessly pursue terrorist groups until lasting peace and normalcy are restored in Borno State and across Nigeria’s North-East region.
Army Urges Caution on Sharing Graphic Content
The statement further urged members of the public and the media to refrain from posting or circulating images of the fallen soldiers on social media until their next of kin have been fully informed, in order to preserve their dignity and respect the privacy of their families.
The attack comes months after a similar incident in Benue State, where bandits killed two soldiers during an assault on Ijaha Ikobi community in Apa Local Government Area.
Local residents reported that the assailants also carted away military weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and a submachine gun, further raising concerns about the spread of arms among non-state actors across the country.
The killing of Lt. Col. Aliyu Paiko a commanding officer leading one of the Army’s frontline units underscores the continued security challenges facing Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
While the military has recorded several successes in the Northeast, the latest loss serves as a painful reminder of the heavy price paid by the nation’s armed forces in their mission to restore peace and stability.