Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Saturday attacked the 27 Task Force Brigade, Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, killing at least four soldiers and destroying many operational equipment.
The attack happened less than 24 hours after the North East Governors Forum met in the state capital, Damaturu, and adopted a multidimensional approach to tackle insurgency in the region.
Buni Yadi is located about 65km from Yobe State capital and is the country home of the state governor, Mai Mala Buni.
A security source, who escaped the attack, told our correspondent that the assailants stormed their location around 2am on Saturday through the western direction.
He said the terrorists sacked the troops from the brigade and burnt down all the equipment that were deployed there.
“They ransacked the armory, looted what they could and burnt it down; they set ablaze the artillery, five MRAPs, anti-aircraft carriers, and over 20 Hilux vans,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Nigerian Army headquarters confirmed the attack via its verified Facebook page but didn’t give further details on the destruction recorded.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI are currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari, Yobe State. Details later,” it stated.
However, another soldier, who escaped the early morning attack said the terrorists stormed the areas in large numbers through the western direction, hauling explosives and shooting sporadically.
“We were taken off guard by the heavy explosions and gunfire, but we stood our ground but were later overpowered. A lot of our fighting equipment was destroyed during the encounter.
“Yes, we lost four of our men, just as they also recorded casualties during the fierce battle that last for hours….,“ he said.
He lamented that the soldiers were gruesomely killed by the terrorists “They were beheaded.”
Six military formations attacked so far
With this attack, at least six military formations have been targeted by the terrorists in Goneri, Wajirko, Sabongari, Izge and Wulgo, where soldiers were killed and military equipment looted or destroyed.
According to newspaper reports, attacks which happened between January and April 2025, had claimed the lives of an army commander, a captain and 22 soldiers.
A local security expert told our correspondent that five of the military locations overran by the insurgents were located at the Tumbuktu triangle within Sambisa forest.
“Sadly, they succeeded in overrunning all these bases that were strategically located to block their illegal activities within the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Hills,” he said.
Locals flee Buni Yadi
Local source who fled to the local council headquarters, Buni Yadi, said many residents have fled their homes to areas they consider safe.
“The military had shut down vehicular movement on the busy road, which serves as a link between Yobe and Biu and other towns in southern Borno,” he said.
Two weeks ago, Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military location in the Chalie area, Buni Yadi, where three soldiers were reportedly killed during the attack.
Over the past months, communities in Borno have suffered relentless assaults with insurgents targeting villages and military formations, particularly in Sabon Gari, Wajirko and Wulgo were they dislodged troops and stole arms and ammunition, among others.
Zulum calls for deployment of more troops, equipment
Governor Zulum also called on the federal government and the military to take the battle to the terrorists in Lake Chad and Mandara Hills in Sambisa Forest.
He also advocated for increased troop deployment to areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and for continuous and sustained military operations to prevent the reoccupation of previously reclaimed territories.
“There should be forces that will keep the ground, otherwise they will come back”, he said.
“What brought about the recent situation is we felt everything is OK, but they are regrouping now and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them to regroup.”
The governor requested the deployment of more military hardware including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and additional personnel to improve surveillance and fortify vulnerable zones.
While acknowledging the current operational burden on the military across the country, Zulum called for the deployment of more trained manpower and logistics to the North East.
He highlighted the success of non-kinetic measures, revealing that over 300,000 repentant insurgents and their families had surrendered over the past three years.
Timeline of attacks on military formations
* On January 4, 2025, Boko Haram attacked a military formation in Sabon Gari, Damboa LGA of Borno State where six soldiers were killed and 36 terrorists neutralised but the military repelled the attack.
* On January 26, an army commander and 19 soldiers were killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP at a military base in Malamfatori, the headquarters of Abadan LGA of Borno.
* On March 24, Boko Haram raided two military formations in Borno – Wajirko army formation in Damboa LGA and Wulgo village of Gamboru Ngala LGA in Borno – where many soldiers and Boko Haram attackers were killed.
* Two soldiers were also feared dead and others injured after the convoy of the newly deployed Brigade Commander ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in Damboa LGA stepped on Improvised Explosive Devices/landmines planted by suspected terrorists along Maiduguri- Damboa-Biu road.
* On April 6, 2025, a captain, soldier and scores of Boko Haram terrorists were killed in Izge village, Gwoza LGA of Borno.
* According to reports, the terrorists strike with Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) targeting the Izge platoon formation of troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ which led to a fierce battle and exchange of gunfire for hours, before resilient residents of the community with support from vigilantes and local hunters complemented efforts of the military to repel the attack. Izge is located in the heart of Sambisa forests, and is about 20km drive Southwest of Gwoza town.
* In another attack on April 17, 2025, two soldiers and some civilians were killed in Yamtake village after Boko Haram invasion of a military base.
* The night invasion also led to the displacement of several people who were IDPs for many years before they were resettled in their ancestral homes by Borno State government.
* On April 18,2025, terrorists invaded Gwoza LGA of Borno. The infiltration, according to residents, started at about 11pm as troops of 26 Task Force Brigade engaged the attackers with no casualty close to the base.
* On April 26, 10 hunters on rescue mission were killed in gun battle in Kopire village, Hong LGA of Adamawa. Kopire shares a border with Hawul LGA of Borno.
* On April 29, two soldiers lost their lives along Maiduguri-Damboa road.
* On January 20, Boko Haram invaded Kawuri village of Konduga LGA of Borno, where three patrol vehicles of the Civilian Joint Task Force were destroyed and many villagers sustained injuries.
* On January 8, 2025, two policemen were killed by terrorists in Gajiram, council headquarters of Nganzai in Northern Borno.
Zulum, Shehu, lawmakers frown at attacks
Worried by the situation, Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, Shehu of Borno, Senator Ali Ndume and other federal and state lawmakers urged the federal government to take action.
Both Zulum and the Shehu, said when they spoke during an expanded security meeting at Government House in Maiduguri, that Abadam, Marte, Guzamala LGAs were under the control of Boko Haram.
They also raised concerns that Borno State and the North East share borders with three neighbouring countries, Chad, Cameroon and the Republic of Niger, emphasising on the security concerns in the Sahel region, especially the infiltration of foreign terrorists.
(Daily trust)
