Army Launches Manhunt for Abducted Soldier, Vows Ruthless Retaliation
By Daily Trust
Tragedy struck in Borno State on Friday as suspected Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a military convoy in Kashimiri village, Bama Local Government Area, killing the Commanding Officer of the 202 Battalion, five soldiers, and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).
The troops, who had just concluded a successful clearance operation, were attacked while returning to Bama. Several others sustained injuries, including the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, Konduga, while one soldier was abducted by the insurgents.
Military sources confirmed the ambush occurred about 25 kilometres from Bama and 93 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
> “We were deployed for a clearance operation after intelligence revealed that a coalition of terrorists had gathered to attack Bama, Kawuri, or Awulari,” a surviving soldier recounted.
“We destroyed their camps, rescued women and children — but they laid an ambush for us on our way back.”
The survivor described the ambush as a deadly crossfire.
> “They opened fire from behind. When we turned, another group launched RPGs from the front. Bullets came from all sides.
Our Commanding Officer and five soldiers died instantly. One RPG hit a Civilian JTF member and killed him on the spot. It wasn’t a clash — we had completed our mission. They ambushed us. That’s the brutal reality of war,” he said.
He revealed that the troops under Operation Hadin Kai had neutralised dozens of insurgents during the clearance mission before the ambush.
> “We intercepted their radio communications after the attack. They use Channel 8. That’s how we confirmed that one of our soldiers, Bello, was captured alive,” he added.
A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ambush but said troop morale remains high.
> “Yes, we lost some men, but our operations are ongoing. Reinforcements have been deployed to track the attackers and rescue the abducted soldier,” he said.
He explained that the troops were using motorcycles due to the difficult terrain.
> “Because motorcycle operations are fast and flexible, engagements usually last less than 30 minutes. Sadly, this one turned tragic,” he said.
The attack underscores the renewed wave of insurgent activities in the Bama–Konduga corridor.
On September 5, 2025, more than 60 civilians were massacred in Darul Jamal village, just a few kilometres from the latest ambush site. The Nigerian Air Force later launched airstrikes that reportedly killed 30 militants in response to the massacre.
In a separate incident, insurgents attacked a military base in Banki, nearly overrunning the barracks and looting arms and ammunition before reinforcements arrived.
Army Promises Vengeance
Security sources told Daily Trust that search and rescue operations have intensified, while air and ground offensives are underway to crush the terrorists responsible.
> “Our men remain undeterred. Every drop of blood shed only strengthens our resolve to wipe out these criminals,” a senior officer said.
The Nigerian Army has yet to release an official statement, but multiple sources confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers and JTF members have been evacuated to Bama for onward movement to Maiduguri.
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