The Nigerian Army on Sunday confirmed its top military commander Lt. Col. T.E. Alari was killed when ISWAP terrorists launched a desperate Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on troops at Gardiri Base in Damboa Local Government Area.
Alari until his death on January 24 was Commanding Officer of the 149 Battalion.
Though the VBIED was intercepted and destroyed by the troops, the shrapnel from the explosion tragically took the lives of those closest to the blast, including Alari, who, as always, was at the front
The attack killed at least 8 people and injured 20 others, with 2 in critical condition.
Despite the attack, the troops neutralized more than 60 terrorists and recovered 14 AK-47 rifles, six RPG tubes, 18 motorcycles, and 24 AK-47 magazines during the one-week-long operation.
