BREAKING: Many Soldiers Feared Dead, Injured As Suicide Bomber Hits Military Convoy
A suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden van rammed into a Nigerian military convoy in the volatile Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State on Tuesday, killing five soldiers and injuring an unspecified number of others.
The attack targeted troops attached to Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY who were returning from a successful clearance operation against Boko Haram insurgents.
The troops had reportedly dismantled several terrorist camps and recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles, medical supplies, grains, and other logistics from enclaves including Chilaria, Garin Faruk, and Abirma.
Security sources confirmed to Daily Trust that two senior officers—a major and a lieutenant—were among those killed. The bodies of the deceased were airlifted to Maiduguri for burial preparations, while the wounded were rushed to medical facilities for treatment.
A soldier familiar with the incident said the explosion caused extensive damage to military hardware used in both offensive and defensive operations during the weeks-long clearance mission. Several armoured and logistics vehicles were destroyed in the blast.
An unnamed officer described the incident as a setback but stressed the military’s determination to continue the operation.
“Yes, every operation comes with setbacks, but we overcome them. Unfortunately, we lost five soldiers in the incident. Manga, the commander, is hale and hearty, and the operation continues,” the officer said.
The Timbuktu Triangle remains a notorious hotspot for insurgent activity and was previously the scene where Boko Haram ambushed, captured, and executed Brigadier General Musa Uba.
The attack comes shortly after the military announced recent gains in the area. According to Lt-Col Sani Uba, spokesman for Operation HADIN KAI, troops on January 18, 2026, carried out intelligence-led operations supported by air surveillance, successfully repelling insurgents’ armed drone attacks while maintaining control of the area.
The military high command has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups, protecting civilians, and restoring lasting peace in Nigeria’s North East.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the method is consistent with known insurgent tactics in the region.
