The Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lt-Col. Aliyu Paiko and a few soldiers of Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade on 17 October were killed during an attack planned by Boko Haram terrorists around Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Appolonia Anele in a statement issued Monday said the troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area.
He noted that during the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralised several, while others suffered injuries.
Appolonia added: “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.
“These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria.”
Appolonia noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the departed.
He said they were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief.
“In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed.
“This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protecting the privacy of their families,” the army warns.