Troops Repel ISWAP Attack on Buni Gari, Kill Over 50 Terrorists
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled a large-scale coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade and the Buni Gari checkpoint in Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition.
The military disclosed that the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when heavily armed terrorists launched simultaneous assaults on the location from multiple directions under the cover of darkness.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the terrorists commenced the offensive at about 2:00 a.m. from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later from the south-western direction in an apparent attempt to overwhelm and encircle the troops.
However, the troops reportedly responded with overwhelming firepower, tactical coordination and sustained resistance that foiled the attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents.
“The terrorists were met with devastating resistance as troops employed indirect fire and executed a well-coordinated offensive-defensive battle that systematically dismantled the attack from all axes,” the statement said.
The military noted that the terrorists were forced to retreat in disarray while evacuating some of their dead and wounded fighters, with blood trails observed along their withdrawal routes.
It added that at no point was the military formation breached, stressing that the integrity of the brigade headquarters and checkpoint remained fully intact throughout the encounter.
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Exploitation operations conducted after the battle led to the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity of the camp, while intelligence reports indicated that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare and Kamuya along the terrorists’ escape routes.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also played a significant role in the operation by providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) support as well as precision air interdiction strikes on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing insurgents.
Military authorities said the air strikes accounted for the neutralisation of an additional 20 terrorists as fighter aircraft pursued retreating insurgents along identified withdrawal corridors.
Recovered items from the operation include eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, loaded magazines, bandoliers of ammunition and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.
The military said troops, supported by volunteer forces, are currently conducting aggressive exploitation operations aimed at tracking fleeing terrorists and preventing any attempt at regrouping.
Although some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minimal damage during the engagement, all wounded personnel are said to be stable and receiving medical attention.
Operation HADIN KAI, however, confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.
The statement paid tribute to the fallen troops, describing their sacrifice as a reflection of courage, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the defence of the country.
It added that the failed attack further highlighted the growing desperation of terrorist elements facing sustained military pressure across the North-East theatre of operations.
“The troops remain battle-ready and resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action across the theatre,” the statement added.