Nigerian Army Repels ISWAP Attack In Yobe, Kill Over 50 Terrorists

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a major attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on military formations in Buni Gari, Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition.

The military said the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the Headquarters 27 Brigade and the Buni Gari Checkpoint at about 2:00 a.m. on Thursday from multiple directions but were met with “devastating firepower” from troops who successfully defended the base.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the troops “demonstrated overwhelming combat superiority” during the encounter, forcing the attackers to retreat with heavy casualties.

According to the statement, the insurgents attacked from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern and south-western axes in what was described as a desperate attempt to overrun the military position.

“The assault, launched at approximately 0200 hours under the cover of darkness by a large number of terrorists from multiple axes, was met with devastating firepower, tactical brilliance and resolute determination by troops who held their ground and inflicted catastrophic losses on the attackers,” the statement said.

The military disclosed that troops employed indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics to repel the attack, insisting that “at no point was any part of the camp breached.”

It added that intelligence reports and follow-up operations indicated that scores of terrorists were killed during the confrontation and while fleeing the area.

“Exploitation of the general area confirmed the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity, while human intelligence reports indicate that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes,” the statement added.

Operation HADIN KAI also credited its Air Component for playing a critical role in the operation through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions as well as precision airstrikes targeting fleeing insurgents.

“In a synchronised air-land operation, precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, accounting for an additional 20 terrorists neutralised as aircraft pursued retreating insurgents along their escape corridors,” the statement noted.

Recovered items from the operation included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.

The military said troops and volunteer forces had continued exploitation operations across the area to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

It, however, confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the encounter, while some military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks, sustained minimal damage.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement said.

The military maintained that the failed attack reflected the “growing desperation” of terrorist groups facing sustained pressure from security forces across the North-East.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute and battle-ready, maintaining operational dominance across the theatre and ensuring that terrorists are denied freedom of action in any part of the North East region,” the statement added.