Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin
Kai (OPHK) say they repelled a coordinated attack by fighters suspected to be
members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on military
formations in Yobe state.
In a statement on Friday, Uba Sani, media information
officer of OPHK, said the attack targeted the headquarters of 27 Brigade in
Buni Gari and the Buni Gari checkpoint in the early hours of Thursday.
Sani said the insurgents launched the assault around 2am
“from multiple axis under the cover of darkness” but were met with “devastating
firepower” from troops.
He said at least 50 terrorists were killed during the
operation, while several weapons and ammunition were recovered from fleeing
insurgents.
“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 a desperate
attempt to encircle own troops,” the statement reads.
“However, 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.
“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.”
Sani said no part of the military formation was breached
during the attack.
He added that troops recovered 10 bodies of insurgents
within the immediate area, while intelligence reports indicated that more
bodies were discovered along withdrawal routes around Gashua, Azare and Kamuya.
According to the statement, the air component of OPHK also
carried out coordinated air strikes on fleeing insurgents, killing an
additional 20 fighters.
“The Air Component Command of OPHK played a decisive and
complementary role in the engagement, providing persistent Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage that enabled real-time
situational awareness and accurate target acquisition,” Sani said.
Items recovered from the scene include eight AK-47 rifles,
two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG)
launchers, five RPG bombs, ammunition, and three improvised explosive device
(IED) canisters.
The military said troops and volunteer forces have commenced
“aggressive exploitation operations” to track fleeing insurgents and prevent
regrouping.
Sani said some military equipment, including Mine-Resistant
Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks, sustained minimal damage
during the attack.
He also confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the
encounter.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in
the course of the engagement,” he said.
“Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service,
courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation.”
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