At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed on Wednesday after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in Borno State, according to the Nigerian Army.
The troops were returning from a clearance operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent stronghold, when the attack occurred. Military sources said the operation had earlier dislodged several insurgent camps.
Confirming the incident, Operation HADIN KAI spokesperson, Lt-Col Uba Sani, said one of two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) was neutralised, but the second breached the defensive position, damaging logistics platforms and causing casualties.
He said some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed, while others sustained injuries. The wounded were evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to a military medical facility in Maiduguri.
Lt-Col Sani added that troops later discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 bodies of insurgents killed during recent encounters, describing this as evidence of heavy terrorist casualties during ongoing operations.
Military authorities said troops have continued their advance across key locations in the Timbuktu Triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia and surrounding areas, as part of sustained efforts to degrade insurgent networks.
The attack comes amid renewed concerns over suicide bombings in parts of Borno State, following similar incidents in recent months targeting both security forces and civilians.
Keywords: Borno suicide bombing, Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian Army, Timbuktu Triangle, insurgency in Northeast Nigeria
