By Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have discovered a mass grave in the Timbuktu Triangle containing the bodies of at least 20 terrorists.
The Theatre Command Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the discovery further confirms the heavy losses suffered by terrorist groups during recent military operations in the area.
“In a further indication of the heavy losses suffered by the terrorists, troops discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle and buried by their cohorts,” the statement read in part.
“This discovery exposes the scale of terrorist casualties and further discredits terrorist propaganda narratives.”
According to Lt. Col. Uba, troops in the latest phase of operations successfully cleared and dominated key terrorist enclaves across the Timbuktu Triangle, including Tergejeri, Chilaria, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
He noted that during the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with sustained firepower, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.
“On January 20, 2026, while consolidating at a harbour area approximately six kilometres north of Chilaria, troops encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised,” the statement added.
Lt. Col. Uba further revealed that during the encounters, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries.
He said the wounded personnel were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital. Throughout the evacuation process, Nigerian Air Force platforms from the Air Component, working in synergy with Nigerian Army air assets, provided continuous aerial overwatch to ensure the safe extraction of casualties and the protection of ground forces, which continued to neutralise terrorist elements.
Despite the losses recorded, the media officer said the security situation across the theatre remains stable.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high, and operations continue with sustained pressure on fleeing terrorist elements,” he stated.
