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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have crushed a large-scale coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on Headquarters 27 Brigade at Buni Gari and the Buni Gari Checkpoint in Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents, the military said on Friday.
The assault was launched at approximately 0200 hours under the cover of darkness by a large number of terrorists from multiple axes, according to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East).
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have once again demonstrated overwhelming combat superiority, decisively crushing a large-scale, coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on Headquarters 27 Brigade at Buni Gari and the Buni Gari Checkpoint in the early hours of Thursday, 8 May 2026,” the statement read.
“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants.”
The military said the terrorists initially launched their assault from the western flank before pushing additional forces from the southern flank along the Ganinga Junction axis and later from the south-western flank in an attempt to encircle troops.
“Troops held their ground with exceptional discipline and tactical composure, employing indirect fires to attrit the enemy while executing an offensive-defensive battle that systematically degraded and dismantled the assault from all axes,” Uba said.
“The terrorists were met with such devastating resistance that they retreated in confusion, evacuating some of their killed and wounded as evidenced by trails of blood along their escape routes.”
The military said at no point was any part of the camp breached, and the integrity of the location remained fully intact throughout the engagement.
The Air Component Command of OPHK played a decisive role, providing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage that enabled real-time situational awareness and accurate target acquisition.
“Precision air interdiction strikes were conducted on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing elements, accounting for an additional 20 terrorists neutralised as aircrafts pursued retreating insurgents along their escape corridors,” the statement read.
Items recovered from the engagement included 8 AK-47 rifles, 2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 2 Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, 5 RPG bombs, 3 RPG chargers, 2 boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, 2 fully loaded magazines, 9 bandoliers of 7.62mm ammunition, and 3 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) canisters.
The military confirmed that two soldiers were killed in the engagement.
“Regrettably, 2 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,” Uba said.
All wounded personnel are stable and receiving appropriate medical attention, the military added.
