Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a massive ISWAP attack on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade and Buni Gari Checkpoint in Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 terrorists during a bloody overnight confrontation.
The military said the terrorists launched the coordinated attack at about 2am on Thursday under the cover of darkness but were met with heavy firepower and sustained resistance from troops backed by air support.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the military described the operation as another demonstration of the combat superiority of Nigerian troops in the North-East theatre.
According to the statement, the terrorists attacked from multiple directions in an attempt to surround troops stationed at Buni Gari.
The insurgents reportedly launched the initial assault from the western flank before reinforcing from Ganinga Junction and later from the south-west axis.
However, troops successfully repelled the attackers using indirect fire and coordinated offensive-defensive tactics.
“No fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the fleeing remnants,” the statement said.
The military stressed that the terrorists failed to breach any part of the military camp despite the scale of the assault.
Security operatives later discovered blood trails and bodies of terrorists along escape routes leading towards Gashua, Azare and Kamuya.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI also carried out precision air strikes against fleeing insurgents after providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support during the battle.
Military authorities said the air strikes killed at least 20 additional terrorists.
Recovered weapons included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two RPG launchers, RPG bombs, ammunition boxes, magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.
The military said the volume of recovered weapons showed the terrorists intended to execute a major coordinated offensive before they were overwhelmed.
Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage during the engagement.
“All wounded personnel are stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” the military added.
The operation, however, claimed the lives of two soldiers.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement,” Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated.
Troops and volunteer forces are currently conducting aggressive follow-up operations to hunt down fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping efforts.
Military authorities described the failed attack as further evidence of the growing desperation of terrorist groups under sustained military pressure in the North-East.
About the Author
