Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Contrary to social media reports circulating today that accuse Boko Haram fighters of killing “over 40 Nigerian soldiers including a lieutenant colonel,” available verified information from official military statements and reputable news organisations indicates a serious but more limited confrontation in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, in late 2025. These confirmed reports do not support the claim of 40 or more soldiers killed in a single attack as alleged by some online sources.
The Nigerian Army and security analysts have acknowledged that troops have sustained fatalities in recent engagements with insurgents, including senior officers, but the scale of losses is lower than the widely shared claims. In an incident on October 17, 2025, troops involved in a counter‑terrorism operation in Borno State were ambushed by fighters linked to Boko Haram and its allied groups, authorities said. The convoy consisted of units from the 202 Tank Battalion and the 222 Battalion, reportedly en route to confront insurgents in Kawuri town, Bama Local Government Area when they came under heavy fire. Both commanders — including Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, the commanding officer of the 202 Tank Battalion — were killed in the engagement alongside several other troops. The exact number of soldiers lost in that clash was not officially disclosed beyond confirming multiple fatalities.
The Nigerian Army publicly described the encounter as part of ongoing efforts under Operation HADIN KAI, the federal government’s multi‑agency counter‑insurgency campaign designed to degrade Boko Haram and allied militants across the northeast. In statements shared by the Army’s Director of Public Relations, troops successfully repelled insurgent moves, neutralised enemy positions, and thwarted planned attacks, even as they paid the “supreme price” with the loss of brave officers and soldiers who engaged militants in direct combat. The Chief of Army Staff extended condolences and reiterated the military’s commitment to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until peace is restored in the region.
Expert analysts note that, while Boko Haram and its splinter group the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have continued to mount ambushes and raids against Nigerian security forces, official casualty figures for security personnel are typically confirmed by the Nigerian Army, Defence Headquarters or theatre command statements. At this stage, as of March 2026, there has been no official confirmation from those authorities of a single attack resulting in the deaths of more than 40 Nigerian soldiers in one incident.
Several online reports and social media threads, including one referenced today, claim that militants struck multiple military bases simultaneously in locations such as Konduga, Mainok, Jakana and Marte, allegedly killing scores of soldiers and a commanding officer. However, such accounts remain unverified and contradictory to statements available from formal security agencies. These claims have not been confirmed by the Nigerian Army, Defence Headquarters, or national security communication channels at the time of this report.
It is important to differentiate between verified military confirmations and uncorroborated online reports. According to the military’s public information, Nigerian troops have indeed faced deadly ambushes and attacks from insurgent groups in Borno State and other parts of the northeast, but the publicly acknowledged fatalities occur at a scale consistent with sporadic clashes — not the mass casualty figures shared on social media. In previous high‑profile engagements, such as the October 2025 encounter, a lieutenant‑colonel and several soldiers were confirmed killed, but the total did not approach the exaggerated “over 40” casualty figure circulating online.
The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, now more than a decade old, continues to pose a significant security threat. Armed groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP regularly carry out ambushes, use improvised explosive devices and stage raids on communities and military outposts. Thousands of military and civilian lives have been lost since the insurgency began, and the security situation remains volatile. However, military authorities continue to carry out offensive operations, intelligence‑led patrols and joint task force actions to counter the threat — and they consistently issue public statements to clarify verified outcomes of major engagements.
For now, the widely shared claim that Boko Haram has recently “gunned down over 40 soldiers including a lieutenant colonel” is not supported by confirmed information from official military sources. It remains a social media narrative without independent verification from authoritative security communications.
Stone Reporters will continue to monitor developments and update this report if, and when, official confirmation or additional verified details become available.
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