Troops on the frontline have eliminated top terrorist commanders, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Talha, and 70 others during clearance operations at Timbuktu Triangle.
No fewer than 22 soldiers were slain by the terrorists.
Defence Headquarters authorities urged the media to desist from publishing the names of the slain troops.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who confirmed the heavy blow to the terrorist camp, hinted that troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the northeast of the country conducted a clearance operation to the renowned terrorist stronghold and enclave known as Timbuktu Triangle.
According to him, the three-pronged operation aimed at dismantling the terrorist presence within the triangle commenced on January 16, 2025, and is ongoing.
“Troops recorded several encounters with terrorists during the course of the clearance operations, which resulted in over 70 terrorist combatants, including three notable terrorist commanders, being neutralized.
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“The terrorist commanders neutralized include, but are not limited to, the following: TALHA (Terrorist Special Forces Commander), Mallam UMAR (Terrorist Operations Commander), and ABU YAZEED (Terrorist Brigade Commander).
“Meanwhile, during the operations, the terrorists deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers), as well as Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles) to ward off troops’ advance and attacks. Troops, already familiar with the terrorist tactics, thwarted several terrorist attempts, including shooting down the amateur drones used by the terrorists.
“Overall, during the course of the operations, troops sadly recorded 22 killed-in-action casualties, with several others wounded in action.
On this account, the media is enjoined to resist publishing the names of troop casualties to allow the formal notification of their next of kin.
“On the whole, the operation is ongoing, and the public will be updated on further developments in due course,” Buba said.
