The Nigerian Army has recovered the remains of a Commanding Officer, an Army Major
The Nigerian Army has recovered the remains of a Commanding Officer, an Army Major
The Nigerian Army has recovered the remains of a Commanding Officer, an Army Major, and several soldiers following a deadly Boko Haram ambush in the Damasak axis of Borno State, according to a report by Daily Trust on Thursday, January 29.
The discovery followed a rescue and recovery operation launched after several soldiers were declared missing during a confrontation with insurgents earlier in the week. Initial intelligence indicated that the Commanding Officer and about 12 other soldiers were captured alive during the clash on Monday.
However, senior security sources later confirmed that the captured personnel were killed by the insurgents. Troops who reached the area on Wednesday recovered the bodies during the operation.
Security sources disclosed that some of the victims were found with their hands restrained, suggesting they were in custody at the time of their deaths. Some remains were also recovered from a nearby body of water, where the attackers allegedly attempted to conceal evidence of the killings.
Two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were also identified among the victims.
The affected military unit was reportedly advancing toward a known insurgent stronghold located between Damasak and Geidam when it was ambushed. Sources believe the attackers had prior intelligence on the troops’ movement, enabling them to surround the unit and launch a coordinated attack from multiple directions.
The recovery mission itself encountered resistance, as insurgents were said to be hiding in nearby bushes to target advancing troops. Heavy reinforcements, supported by fighter jet operations, eventually forced the attackers to retreat, allowing the bodies to be airlifted to Maiduguri.
Despite the losses, the Nigerian military has intensified clearance operations across the Timbuktu Triangle and the Lake Chad region. The Army has yet to officially release the identities of the fallen officers, while efforts to track and neutralize the perpetrators continue in the Mandara Mountains.
