A suicide bomber has struck a military convoy in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and injuring an unspecified number of troops.
Security sources confirmed to Daily Trust that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday as soldiers returned from a successful clearance operation, also affected two senior officers—a major and a lieutenant.
One soldier described the assault as causing significant damage to military equipment deployed for ongoing operations.
“The attack caused significant damage to military equipment used for offensive and defensive operations in the weeks-long clearance operations,” the source said.
According to reports, the terrorists used a vehicle loaded with explosives to ram the convoy, destroying armoured and logistics vehicles.
Another officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the casualties but said operations were continuing.
“Yes! Every operation comes with setbacks, but we overcame it. Unfortunately, we lost five soldiers in the incident. Manga (the Commander) is hale and hearty, and the operation continues,” he stated.
The bodies of the slain soldiers have been transported to Maiduguri, while injured personnel have been evacuated for medical treatment.
The Timbuktu Triangle is a notorious insurgent enclave where terrorists previously ambushed and executed Brigadier General Musa Uba.
The attack comes just a day after troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, reported significant gains in the area. On Monday, the task force said it cleared multiple terrorist camps and repelled drone attacks during Operation Desert Sanity.
In a statement, Lt-Col Sani Uba, spokesman for the operation, detailed the success of the troops, including the recovery of arms and other equipment from insurgents.
“On Sunday, 18 January 2026, troops advanced from their harbour area and conducted deliberate, intelligence-led operations across several identified terrorist enclaves, including Chilaria, Garin Faruk and Abirma.
The operation was supported by the Air Component of OPHK, providing persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage, which enabled real-time tracking of terrorist movement and enhanced precision of ground operations.
During the operation, troops recovered several items of military significance, including Baofeng radios, phones, AK-47 magazines, 7.62 × 39mm special ammunition, 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition, Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, diesel-powered grinding machines, medical supplies, grains, a pick-up truck, underground logistics storage, and Petroleum and Oil Lubricant (POL) dumps, all further degrading the terrorists’ operational capabilities.
Despite armed drone attacks by terrorists, the troops maintained momentum and decisively repelled all offensives, reaffirming dominance in the area. Troop morale remains high, and the general security situation is calm but unpredictable, with troops vigilant and on high readiness. The Military High Command affirmed that operations will continue as troops remain resolute in their mission to eliminate terrorist threats, protect civilians, and restore lasting peace and stability to the North East.”
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