At least five Nigerian soldiers have been killed, while five others sustained injuries after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State.
Security sources confirmed that the attack affected two senior officers, a major and a lieutenant. The bomber reportedly drove a car packed with explosives directly into the convoy, causing extensive damage to armoured and logistics vehicles used in ongoing clearance operations.
The soldiers were said to be returning from a successful operation that dismantled several insurgents’ camps and neutralised many fighters when the incident occurred.
A military source described the attack as a setback but stressed that operations in the area were continuing. He confirmed that five soldiers lost their lives, adding that the commander of the operation was unharmed and that troops remained fully engaged in the mission.
The explosion destroyed key military equipment and disrupted movement in the area. The bodies of the deceased soldiers have been airlifted to Maiduguri, while those injured are receiving medical treatment.
The Timbuktu Triangle has remained a notorious flashpoint for insurgent activity and was previously the site where a convoy carrying Brigadier General Musa Uba was ambushed, leading to his capture and execution.
The latest attack has raised fresh concerns over the intensity of insurgent operations in the North-East and the effectiveness of ongoing security measures in the region.
