Suicide Bomber Strikes Military Convoy in Borno, Killing Five Soldiers

A suicide bomber struck a military convoy in the Timbuktu triangle area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and injuring an unspecified number of others, security sources confirmed. Two senior officers—a major and a lieutenant—were among those affected in the attack. The troops had been returning from a clearance operation that successfully dismantled several insurgent camps and neutralized multiple militants. A soldier on the scene said, “The attack caused significant damage to military equipment used in weeks-long operations.” An officer who spoke on condition of anonymity added, “Every operation comes with setbacks, but we overcame it. Unfortunately, we lost five soldiers in this incident. Manga is hale and hearty, and the operation continues. Armoured and logistics vehicles were destroyed when the van loaded with explosives rammed the convoy on Tuesday.” The bodies of the fallen soldiers have been transported to Maiduguri, while the injured are receiving medical attention. The Timbuktu triangle has previously been the site of deadly attacks, including the ambush and execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba. On Monday, troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, reported clearing multiple terrorist camps and foiling drone attacks in the area.

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Troops Neutralise Bandit in Benue, Destroy Camps in Makurdi LGA

Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector 1 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with local hunters, have carried out a clearance operation around the Tatough general area of Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, neutralising one bandit and destroying multiple hideouts. According to a statement by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osabo, the weekend operation involved a fighting patrol and the escort of bereaved family members to Tse-Ayele village for a burial. Troops cleared several identified hotspots, including Mdoor, Anter, Tse-Gegu, Tse-Akaajime, Tse-Agam, and Ndor villages. While advancing through Tse-Akaajime, soldiers encountered armed bandits. A brief but intense firefight ensued, resulting in the killing of one bandit, while others fled, abandoning their positions. Items recovered included two Tecno mobile phones and three motorcycles suspected to have been used in criminal activities. Troops subsequently destroyed and set ablaze all identified bandit camps in the area, effectively preventing the criminals from regrouping. In a related development, soldiers deployed in Tatough have continued aggressive foot and perimeter patrols to maintain security and reassure residents of their safety. The Acting Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel K.O. Bukoye, commended the troops for their gallantry, urging them to remain vigilant and sustain momentum in the effort to rid Benue State of criminal elements.

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