In a major blow to insurgency, the Nigerian Army crushed a multi-directional attack on the 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State, in the early hours of Thursday. Troops from Operation HADIN KAI displayed overwhelming combat superiority, neutralising over 50 ISWAP fighters and forcing the remnants to flee in disarray after a fierce gun battle.
Providing details on the encounter, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba—spokesperson for the Joint Task Force North East—issued a statement on Saturday, May 9, confirming the military’s success. As the Media Information Officer for Operation HADIN KAI, Uba noted that the troops’ swift response was instrumental in thwarting the insurgent’s multi-directional assault
According to military authorities, the insurgents launched a sophisticated, multi-directional assault at approximately 2:00 am on Thursday, targeting both the brigade headquarters and the Buni Gari checkpoint.
The statement detailed how the attackers initially advanced from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis at Ganinga Junction in a failed attempt to encircle the troops.
“The assault, launched 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.
”No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants,” the statement read.
To dismantle the assault, troops deployed a combination of indirect fire and offensive-defensive maneuvers, forcing the insurgents into a disorderly retreat.
The military confirmed that the attackers were seen evacuating numerous dead and wounded fighters as they fled. Despite the intensity of the engagement, the integrity of the military formation remained fully intact, with no 54part of the camp breached by the enemy
“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,” he stated.
The success of the operation was bolstered by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, which provided critical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support. This aerial oversight enabled precision strikes on fortified terrorist positions and effectively intercepted fleeing insurgents as they attempted to escape the battle zone.
“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,” he added.
Following the encounter, the military reported a significant recovery of high-caliber weaponry, including eight AK-47 rifles, two General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), and two Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers with assorted ammunition.
While the troops maintained their positions, the Army confirmed that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage.
Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the fierce battle, while several others wounded in action are currently receiving medical attention.
“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 added.
A massive manhunt is now underway as the military and local volunteers hunt down the retreating ISWAP fighters. This relentless pursuit aims to dismantle any regrouping attempts, ensuring that the victory at Buni Gari remains a decisive blow to the terrorists’ operational capacity.
