₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of the Commanding Officer of the 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, along with several soldiers, following a fierce confrontation with Boko Haram insurgents in the Kashimri area of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Major Appolonia Anele, troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a planned terrorist attack but suffered heavy casualties in the process.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, under the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, on October 17, 2025, thwarted an attempted assault by Boko Haram terrorists around the Kashimri general area.

“Unfortunately, the encounter came at a cost, as the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other gallant soldiers paid the supreme price,” the statement read.


Major Anele explained that the troops engaged the insurgents in intense combat, neutralising several fighters and destroying multiple terrorist hideouts in the region.

The operation, she said, prevented what could have been a devastating attack on civilians and critical infrastructure.

“The troops’ bravery frustrated the terrorists’ plans to disrupt peace and socio-economic activities in Bama and surrounding communities.

Some of the fleeing terrorists sustained gunshot wounds as our forces maintained operational dominance,” she added.

The Army spokesperson described the fallen officers as heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect the sovereignty and stability of Nigeria, assuring that their legacies would never be forgotten.

“The Nigerian Army deeply mourns these courageous men. Their sacrifices embody the spirit of service and patriotism.

“We will continue to honour their memory as we intensify efforts to eradicate terrorism from our nation,” Major Anele stated.

She further noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, describing them as “fathers, brothers, and sons who showed exceptional courage in the face of danger.”

Oluyede reaffirmed the military’s unwavering resolve to sustain the offensive against all terrorist elements until lasting peace is achieved in the North-East and across the country.

The Army also urged the public and media outlets to refrain from circulating images of the fallen soldiers until their next of kin have been properly informed, in order to preserve their dignity and respect their families’ privacy.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2025/10/20/terrorists-ambush-soldiers-in-borno-kill-battalion-commander

A battalion in Nigerian army is made up of between 400- 1,200 soldiers so imagine the number of soldiers they killed in that line of gunfire to get to the commander but this government prefers to suppress news and cover it with the usual lies and propaganda instead of proffering concrete plans to tackle any of the problem

aariwa:
A battalion in Nigerian army is made up of between 400- 1,200 soldiers so imagine the number of soldiers they killed in that line of gunfire to get to the commander but this government prefers to suppress news and cover it with the usual lies and propaganda instead of proffering concrete plans to tackle any of the problem

Oga, 400-1,200 soldiers is a lot of soldiers. Except they were poorly armed, you'd need thousands of BH fighters to overwhelm such a large force.

I think it's time for the soldiers to lay down their weapons and start using teargas and road barricades on the bandits.

If teargas can work against protesters then it should equally work against bandits.

They should include this initiative as one of their agendas in their next stakeholder meeting with the repentant terrorists.

The presidency was given a list of bokoharam sponsors but have done nothing with it.
Governors now beg and induce terrorist to make peace,
A pastor reported that the NA had to take permission from BH to recover the bodies of his slain members.

And yet a presidential aide claims NK’s lawyer is in error of sub-judice. As much as I would like to stay away from the NK case, the government has shown its double standards. We’ve been buying and donating weapons to these marauders/murderers and yet we don’t think that our leaders are guilty of treason? Aiding and abetting criminals. Chad, had offered to help us with the insurgence we refused. Use Kid gloves for BH and an iron fist for IPOB.

When the time comes the GCON, CON and other honorary titles bestowed on complicit leaders will be withdrawn and both living and dead will pay a lofty price.

Has anyone observed a trend .By 2027, Nigeria could stand at a dangerous crossroads

Security decay in the North East, North West, North central

Suppression in the South East,

Complacent loyalty in the south West,

Political bargaining in the South South , decampment and horse trading.


Is Nigeria gliding towards a war? It just looks like watching the same movie twice, on a black and white TV and on color TV.

Nigerian soldiers have become endangered species in the hands of boko haram terrorists and Islamic bandits ... They are killed everyday like flies.

They are only active on peaceful protesters 😆😂😂

It's no big deal, they will later become repentant terrorists

The army has been infiltrated with bandits and terrorists else who gives these criminals the Intel of soilder's movement..

Thanks for telling us

Insecurity officials keeling security officials. Only in nigeria and under tinubu and apc. Very incompetent.

how long will the soldiers continue allowing their lives to be used as pawns in the hands of insincere politicians marauding as government office holders
this is not patriotism but self imposed suicide.

[/b]“The Nigerian Army deeply mourns these courageous men. Their sacrifices embody the spirit of service and patriotism.” [b]


Na the only thing government go tell you if you die as a soldier.

LagosOrigin:
Nigerian soldiers have become endangered species in the hands of boko haram terrorists and Islamic bandits ... They are killed everyday like flies.

They are only active on peaceful protesters 😆😂😂

It is true that Nigerians don't actually have sense.... If Nigerians had sense they would know this is not a laughing matter.
Those endangered species being killed like flies are the reason why you are still alive to jest on Nairaland

Why is there never pics of them

God bless our gallant soldiers. I pray their sacrifice will not be in vain. May the Lord punish all the terrorists and their supporters and give them sorrow and tears if they refuse to repent.

and when we revolvt for a better Nigerian, they call us bloody civilians and shoot at us.

Paiko is dead??

omo this life sha

Guestmale:
God bless our gallant soldiers. I pray their sacrifice will not be in vain. May the Lord punish all the terrorists and their supporters and give them sorrow and tears if they refuse to repent.

Hope you are aware your president and his vice are both terrorist supporters?

May their souls rest in peace and condolences to the bereaved

One yoruba man said those terrorists called bandits by FG that are doing peace deals with Northern governors are Igbos.
Lol
The guy na my friend o!
I was shocked as to how much fear and hate this people have against igbos

Gambling with human life and politicizing everything in Nigeria. Tomorrow the killers will be rewarded and human right activists will be jailed.what a country

No, the problem is
Nnamdi Kanu and Peter Obi. Nnamdi Kanu is the real terrorists according to this evil Satanic Apc party and not Boko Haram. God will surely judge them

Karlman:
One yoruba man said those terrorists called bandits by FG that are doing peace deals with Northern governors are Igbos.
Lol
The guy na my friend o!
I was shocked as to how much fear and hate this people have against igbos

Their hate has grown beyond human comprehension. Recall that igbos fought a war to leave the union, their elders deliberately sabotaged it by fighting against them.

stonemasonn:
Oga, 400-1,200 soldiers is a lot of soldiers. Except they were poorly armed, you'd need thousands of BH fighters to overwhelm such a large force.

/
I guess you underestimate the power of 50 Boko Haram fighters with 50 cal guns with seemingly unlimited ammo and RPGs springing up a surprise attack on a Battalion with 1000 soldiers ( each armed with Ak-47 and only 2 magazines with foundation on low morale). It is known as ambush for a reason. The element of surprise! Knowing Nigerian soldiers, many of them will be there pressing phones and not paying attention.

/

adenigga:
Source: https://dailypost.ng/2025/10/20/terrorists-ambush-soldiers-in-borno-kill-battalion-commander

Good night my school mate, LT Col Seidu Paiko, the great man, gentle, accommodating, and nice to the core, may Allah reward you with Aljahnah Fridaus, and gives your family the fortitude to bear the loss, may He be with your wife and Children,you pay supreme price for protecting your fatherland, the Chemical Engineering class of 2003, will never forget you.

This is fake news 👎. Nigeria is safe. Tinupoo is working.

Karlman:
One yoruba man said those terrorists called bandits by FG that are doing peace deals with Northern governors are Igbos.
Lol
The guy na my friend o!
I was shocked as to how much fear and hate this people have against igbos

The same way that idiot Adex Smith on twitter was spreading false rumours in the heat of the coup allegations that it was igbos that killed MKO and Akintola....

These fools wanna provoke a conflict with igbo people
And they think it will end well for then

When you apprehend them pardon them.
Call them repentant terrorists.
Negotiate with them.

In a serious country people are executed for corruption how much more those who take up arms against the state.

Yet here Governors will go and massage the egos of Bandits and plead with them to allow them farm.

If the alleged coup had worked out this would not have happened. Soldiers' lives are now like that of chicken in nigeria because of politics and terrorists sympathisers that are ruling Nigeria.

aariwa:
A battalion in Nigerian army is made up of between 400- 1,200 soldiers so imagine the number of soldiers they killed in that line of gunfire to get to the commander but this government prefers to suppress news and cover it with the usual lies and propaganda instead of proffering concrete plans to tackle any of the problem

Those soldiers went for a mission, and the mission was already successful before they were ambush on their way back.
They killed 5 soldiers including one commander