Some recent reports by a cross section of the media have claimed that Boko Haram insurgents attacked and dislodged a military base in Malam-Fatori, Borno State, resulting in significant casualties among Nigerian Army personnel.
However, CKNnews has confirmed that the report is inaccurate as the 149 Battalion mentioned is actually part of Sector 2 operations in Yobe State and not stationed in Malam-Fatori.
The facts as gathered by us is that troops of the 149 Battalion were conducting an operation in the Timbuktu Triangle when they came under a suicide attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters who deployed a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device against the troops.
Tragically, the Commanding Officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, and few others lost their lives during this encounter.
This incident occurred during an offensive maneouver, into the Timbuktu Triangle and not at a static military base.
To this end it should be emphasized that NO military base in Malam-Fatori was overrun or dislodged, a high ranking officer of the army asks the public to disregard these false reports.
He also called on media outlets to verify information before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation that could undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
UPDATE ON TERRORIST ATTACK ON TROOPS IN THE TIMBUKTU TRIANGLE
1. On 16 January 2025, troops of Operation HADIN KAI commenced operation DESERT SANITY IV as part of a wider measure to completely defeat the terrorists in the North East Region. In the course of the operation, troops dislodged terrorists from their enclaves in Jemyeri, Abulam, Agum and Digamari. Troops further stormed ISWAP training camp at Garin Baban Alhassan, destroyed the camp and neutralized 18 including 3 notorious commanders identified as Talha, the ISWAP women leader, Mallam Umar the RPG trainer and Abu Yazeed the ISWAP Brigade Commander in the Timbuktu Triangle.
On 22 January 2025 at about 2:40pm, troops of 199 SF Bn, Combat Teams 6 and 8 married up at Gardiri for the final onslaught on the notorious terrorist enclave. As precursor operations, troops cleared terrorist camps at Burbur, Lamisuri, Kassachia and Buk destroying all life supporting structures within these strongholds. It is worthy to state that the terrorists were placed on the backfoot as they were on the run all through seeking to find new hideouts within the Timbuktu Triangle.
2. Due to the pressure on the terrorists and a sign of desperation and last resort, on 24 January 2025 at about 7:10pm, the terrorists cowardly rammed into troops at their harbor position with a Vehicle Borne IED at Gardiri base killing a Commanding Officer, 2 officers and some of our very brave men while injuring 20 others. Conversely and conservatively too, the troops neutralised more than 60 of the terrorists during the one week long operation . Also, 14 AK 47 rifles, 6 RPG tubes, 18 motorcycles and 24 AK 47 magazines were recovered by our gallant warriors.
3. Based on this development, a comprehensive review of the operation is being carried out to enable a re-launch. Meanwhile, It is pertinent to set the records straight that there was no terrorist activity at Malam Fatori which led to casualty on own troops as widely circulated in some media outlets by mischief makers. The only recorded incident occurred at the Timbuktu Triangle in Damboa LGA of Borno State as narrated earlier . The media report making the rounds is therefore fake, baseless and should be disregarded.
4. May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. Amen. Adieu gallant warriors!