ISWAP’s Attack : Identity Of Army’s Commanding Officer Killed In Damboa Revealed

By Idorenyin UMOREN

|SECURITY| The identity of the Commanding Officer of the 149 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who lost his life, alongside some other gallant soldiers during Friday’s attack by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists has been revealed.

According to Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, the Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel TE Alari, was killed in Damboa, Yobe State, while leading his troops during an operation in the area.

In a statement shared on his X account late on Saturday, January 25, 2025, Makama said, ” Lt. Col. TE Alari, the Commanding Officer of the 149 Battalion, was leading his troops during an operation in the Timbuktu Triangle a notorious hotspot for terrorist activity in the North East of Damboa in Yobe State, when they came under VBIED attack by ISWAP insurgents.

“The vehicle was blown apart by the troops, unfortunately for them those that died including the CO who was leading from the front, were on their feet and the beating zone of the shrapnels of the VBIED caused the havoc.

“Despite the ferocity of the attack, he stood firm in the line of duty, embodying the spirit of bravery and leadership until the very end.”

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters is yet to react on the attack as at the time of filing this story.
|TheNewsDESK|