• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

Giving an update on Saturday, multiple sources had told SaharaReporters that more than 40 corpses of dead soldiers had been recovered. The remains of Nigerian Army personnel killed in action during recent encounters with terrorists in Borno State were on Friday laid to rest at the Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, the state capital. The sober ceremony, which highlights the heavy price troops are paying in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, was confirmed in a statement on Saturday by Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai. SaharaReporters earlier reported that over 40 Nigerian soldiers had been confirmed killed during attacks by militants of the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, in Borno state. SaharaReporters had on Friday exclusively reported how the terrorists simultaneously attacked four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte town between 10 pm on Thursday night and 3 am on Friday. They reportedly fired at the military facilities sporadically, causing numerous casualties. The gunmen also came in different groups and could not be counted. Giving an update on Saturday, multiple sources had told SaharaReporters that more than 40 corpses of dead soldiers had been recovered. Among those killed was a senior officer identified as Lieutenant Colonel SI Iliyasu. Iliyasu, who is the Commanding Officer of 222 Battalion, and some of his men were killed in Konduga by the terrorists. SaharaReporters learnt that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is currently in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, over the incident. Speaking at the graveside, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, described the event as a "painful reminder" of the sacrifices made by the armed forces. "In the profession of arms, there are moments of victory that fill us with pride and affirm the strength, courage and unity that define our service," Abubakar said. "Yet there are also solemn moments that weigh heavily on our hearts and remind us of the true cost of service, as we have witnessed today." According to him, the fallen soldiers displayed courage, selflessness and dedication to duty in the course of their service. "They gave their lives in devotion to a cause greater than themselves -- the nation, the people and the ideals they swore to defend," he said. "They were brave, loyal and courageous patriots whose sacrifices will never be forgotten." The theatre commander said the troops fought with valour and upheld the traditions of the Nigerian Army. "They endured hardship so that our flag would continue to fly high," he said. "Their sacrifices remind us that freedom is not free; it is secured by the steadfast resolve of patriots willing to place duty above self." Abubakar assured the families of the deceased soldiers that the military would ensure that all benefits and entitlements due to the fallen personnel were processed to support their loved ones. He also conveyed condolences on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the families of the slain troops. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was represented at the ceremony by the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Security Trust Fund, Mustapha Ali Yabe, also commiserated with the military and the families of the deceased soldiers. Zulum described the deaths as a painful loss to the nation and commended the troops for their commitment to protecting the state. He said the Borno State government would continue to support the families of fallen soldiers as well as the military in carrying out its responsibilities. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/03/07/nigerian-army-mourns-buries-officers-soldiers-killed-boko-haram-terrorists-borno