At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy operating in the Timbuktu Triangle axis of Borno State, security sources have confirmed.
The attack also left an unspecified number of troops injured, including two senior officers—a Major and a Lieutenant—who sustained injuries during the incident.
A soldier familiar with the operation described the impact as devastating, saying the explosion caused extensive damage to military assets. According to him, the attackers deployed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), driving a car packed with explosives directly into the convoy.
“The attack caused significant damage to military equipment used for offensive and defensive operations in the weeks-long clearance operations,” the source said.
The troops were reportedly returning from a successful clearance operation in which several insurgent camps were dislodged and many terrorists killed when the suicide attack occurred.
Confirming the incident, another officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation was still ongoing despite the losses. “Every operation comes with setbacks, but we overcame it. Unfortunately, we lost five soldiers in the incident. Manga, the Commander, is hale and hearty, and the operation continues,” the officer said.
He added that armoured vehicles and logistics trucks were destroyed when the explosive-laden vehicle struck the convoy.
It was further gathered that the remains of the slain soldiers have been airlifted to Maiduguri, while those injured were evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.
The Timbuktu Triangle is a notorious hotspot in the North East and was previously the location where terrorists ambushed a convoy carrying Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was captured and later executed.
The attack came barely a day after the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), announced that its troops had cleared multiple terrorist camps and foiled drone attacks in the same general area.
In a statement earlier issued by the spokesman of the operation, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the military said the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY had recorded significant gains, including the recovery of arms and equipment from terrorists.
“On Sunday, 18 January 2026, troops advanced from their harbour area and conducted deliberate, intelligence-led operations across several identified terrorist enclaves, including Chilaria, Garin Faruk and Abirma,” Uba said.
He explained that the operation was supported by the Air Component of OPHK, which provided sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance coverage, enabling real-time tracking of terrorist movements and enhancing the effectiveness of ground operations.
According to the military, items recovered during the operation included Baofeng radios, mobile phones, AK-47 magazines, rounds of ammunition, Boko Haram and ISWAP flags, medical supplies, bags of grains, a pick-up truck, underground logistics storage facilities and a Petroleum and Oil Lubricant dump.
Uba also disclosed that troops came under armed drone attacks during the operation but successfully repelled the assaults. Despite the sustained engagements, he said troop morale remained high, adding that the military high command had reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the offensive until terrorist threats in the North East are eliminated.
