The Nigerian Army on Saturday mourned soldiers killed in separate attacks by militants in Borno and Katsina states, as troops also killed dozens of assailants in retaliatory operations, officials said.
Military sources said scores of soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and a captain, were killed in recent attacks in Borno State and Katsina State. The slain lieutenant colonel was the commanding officer of a battalion stationed in Borno, according to the sources.
In Katsina, Capt. Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were killed during a clash with armed bandits in Danmusa Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Saturday, Lt. Col. Sanni UBA, media information officer for the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai said some of the fallen soldiers had already been buried.
He described the dead troops as “brave, loyal and courageous patriots whose sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
Uba said the soldiers demonstrated courage, selflessness and dedication to duty, adding that their deaths were a loss not only to their families but also to the army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation.
Militants launched multiple attacks on military locations across Borno in recent days, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Among the incidents was an attack on a military base in Ngoshe earlier this week, where soldiers and civilians were killed and more than 300 residents were abducted, according to local reports.
Heavy assaults were also reported on military formations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between Thursday night and early Friday morning.
The army confirmed the attacks but said troops repelled the assaults and killed several militants.
Uba said the attacks occurred between about 10:30 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday. He confirmed that several soldiers, including an officer, were killed during the fighting.
“Regrettably, a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty, including a gallant officer who fought courageously from the front while leading his troops against the attackers,” he said.
The theater commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar described the losses as a painful reminder of the cost of military service.
“They gave their lives in devotion to a cause greater than themselves — the nation, the people and the ideals they swore to defend,” Abubakar said.
He said the troops fought with valor and upheld the traditions of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Abubakar assured families of the fallen soldiers that their sacrifices would not be in vain and said benefits due to the deceased personnel would be processed to support their families.
Babagana Zulum governor of Borno State, also extended condolences to the military. Represented by the executive secretary of the state security trust fund, Mustapha Yabe, Zulum described the deaths as a painful loss and commended the troops for their commitment to protecting the state.
In Katsina, officials said troops killed at least 45 bandits during a gun battle following an attack on Alhazawa village in Musawa Local Government Area.
The clash occurred after gunmen from neighboring Zamfara State attacked the community on March 5 to steal cattle, according to the Katsina commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Nasir Mua’zu.
Community members and local vigilantes initially repelled the attackers, killing four of them and recovering the stolen cattle.
The bandits later returned in larger numbers on March 6 and encountered soldiers from the army’s forward operating base in Dan Ali near Maidabino, leading to an intense firefight.
Among those killed was Iti, described as the nephew and deputy to a notorious bandit leader, Adamu Alieru as well as another suspected bandit commander known as Damale, officials said.
Katsina Gov. Dikko Umaru Radda ,commended the soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice, saying their actions saved lives and disrupted criminal operations in the state.
“Our security forces remain alert and will continue to pursue these criminals wherever they go,” the statement said. “We will not rest until peace is fully restored to every corner of Katsina State.”
