In a high-stakes operation to dismantle insurgency, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralized over 70 terrorists, including three top commanders, at the notorious Timbuktu Triangle enclave in Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the clearance operation, launched on January 16, involved a strategic three-pronged attack against entrenched terrorist positions.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that the operation successfully eliminated Talha, a terrorist special forces commander; Malam Umar, an operations commander; and Abu Yazeed, a brigade commander.
“The troops thwarted numerous terrorist attempts, including the use of IEDs, suicide bombers, and explosive-laden vehicles, as well as amateur drones deployed by the insurgents,” Buba said.
Despite the success, the operation came at a cost, with 22 soldiers losing their lives and several others injured.
Buba urged the media to refrain from publishing names of the fallen soldiers to allow formal notification of their families.
The operation remains ongoing, with updates promised as developments unfold.