Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised no fewer than 50 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists following an attack on the Headquarters of the 27 Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the terrorists launched a coordinated assault around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday from multiple directions, targeting both the brigade headquarters and the Buni Gari checkpoint.
The army said the attackers initially advanced from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis along Ganinga Junction and later attempted to encircle troops from the south-western flank.
However, troops reportedly repelled the attack with heavy firepower and tactical counter-offensives.
“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from fleeing insurgents,” the statement said.
The military added that no section of the formation was breached during the encounter, noting that troops maintained full control of the base throughout the operation.
It revealed that exploitation operations led to the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses around the camp, while intelligence reports indicated that more bodies were sighted along withdrawal routes towards Gashua, Azare and Kamuya.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support, enabling precision air strikes on identified terrorist positions and retreating fighters.
Recovered weapons included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.
The army said some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage, while injured personnel were receiving treatment.
It confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the operation.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement,” the statement added.
Troops, alongside volunteer forces, have since commenced follow-up operations to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping in the area, the military said.
