Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a coordinated attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the Headquarters 27 Brigade and Buni Gari checkpoint in Buni Gari, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents.
The military said the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a large number of terrorists launched assaults from multiple directions under the cover of darkness.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba, the troops responded with heavy firepower and successfully prevented the terrorists from breaching the camp.
The statement said the insurgents first attacked from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern and south-western axes in an attempt to encircle the troops.
It noted that the soldiers maintained their positions with “exceptional discipline and tactical composure,” using indirect fire and coordinated offensive-defensive operations to repel the attackers.
The military disclosed that at least 10 terrorist bodies were recovered around the immediate area, while intelligence reports indicated that more than 20 additional corpses were sighted along withdrawal routes around Gashua, Azare and Kamuya.
Operation HADIN KAI also said the Air Component Command played a major role during the operation by providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, as well as carrying out precision air strikes on identified terrorist positions and fleeing fighters.
The air strikes reportedly neutralised an additional 20 insurgents during pursuit operations.
Recovered items from the scene included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.
The military said troops and volunteer forces had commenced exploitation operations across the area to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping.
It added that some military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks, sustained minor damage during the exchange of fire.
The statement, however, confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the operation, while wounded personnel were receiving medical attention.
Operation HADIN KAI said the failed assault reflected the “growing desperation” of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the North-East.
