Troops Repel Deadly ISWAP Assault on Buni Gari, Kill Over 50 Terrorists, Recover Heavy Weapons
By Paul Ebi
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully repelled a large-scale attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents and recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
The coordinated assault, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 8, 2026, targeted both the Brigade Headquarters and the Buni Gari Checkpoint. According to military authorities, the terrorists launched the attack around 2:00 a.m. from multiple directions under the cover of darkness in what appeared to be a desperate attempt to overrun the military formation.
However, troops of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly responded with what officials described as “devastating firepower, tactical brilliance, and resolute determination,” successfully holding their ground and inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
The insurgents initially attacked from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later advancing from the south-west in an effort to encircle the troops. Military sources said the soldiers maintained strong defensive positions, employing indirect fire support and offensive-defensive combat tactics that systematically dismantled the assault from all directions.
“The terrorists were met with such overwhelming resistance that they retreated in confusion, evacuating some of their dead and wounded as shown by visible blood trails along their withdrawal routes,” the statement said.
The military confirmed that no part of the camp was breached during the encounter, maintaining that the integrity of the location remained intact throughout the operation.
A post-battle exploitation mission 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 discovered across surrounding bushes near Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ escape routes.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also played a major role in the success of the operation by providing real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support. Precision airstrikes were launched against identified terrorist positions and fleeing insurgents, reportedly eliminating an additional 20 terrorists as aircraft pursued retreating fighters along escape corridors.
Further intelligence from local sources suggested that even more bodies were found scattered across the withdrawal routes, highlighting what military authorities described as the “magnitude of the defeat” suffered by the terrorists.
Recovered items from the operation included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, two boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, two fully loaded magazines, nine bandoliers of 7.62mm rounds, and three Improvised Explosive Device (IED) canisters.
Military officials said the quantity and sophistication of the weapons recovered underscored the scale of the terrorists’ offensive plans and the extent of their operational failure.
Troops, alongside volunteer forces, are currently conducting follow-up operations across the general area to track fleeing insurgents and prevent any attempt at regrouping. Some military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks, sustained minimal damage during the battle.The military also confirmed that all wounded personnel are stable and receiving medical attention.
Sadly, two soldiers lost their lives during the fierce encounter.
The military described them as gallant heroes whose sacrifice reflects the highest traditions of courage, patriotism, and service to the nation.Operation HADIN KAI, while mourning the fallen troops, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the North-East, stating that the latest failed attack reflects the growing desperation of insurgents facing relentless military offensives.
The statement was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
