By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a large-scale coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists on the Headquarters of 27 Brigade and Buni Gari Checkpoint in Yobe State, killing no fewer than 50 insurgents during the fierce overnight battle.
The military disclosed that the terrorists launched the attack at about 2am on Thursday from multiple directions but were decisively crushed by troops supported by precision air strikes from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops demonstrated “overwhelming combat superiority” and prevented the terrorists from breaching the military location.
According to the statement, the insurgents first attacked from the western flank before reinforcing from the southern axis through Ganinga Junction and later from the south-west in what the military described as a desperate attempt to encircle troops.
However, troops reportedly held their ground and responded with coordinated indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics that inflicted devastating losses on the attackers.
“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 further disclosed that at no point during the engagement was any section of the military camp breached.
Security sources said exploitation operations conducted after the battle revealed multiple blood trails and bodies of terrorists along their withdrawal routes.
“Exploitation of the general area confirmed the recovery of 10 terrorist corpses within the immediate vicinity, while human intelligence reports indicate that over 20 additional bodies were scattered across bushes around Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes,” the statement added.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI was also credited with playing a decisive role in the operation through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions as well as precision air interdiction strikes targeting fleeing insurgents.
According to the military, the air strikes accounted for the killing of at least 20 additional terrorists.
Recovered items from the operation included eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, RPG chargers, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.
Military analysts say the scale of weapons recovered suggests the insurgents intended to launch a major assault on the military formation before they were repelled.
The military also disclosed that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage during the exchange of fire.
“All wounded personnel are stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” the statement added.
The military, however, confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the battle.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement,” Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated.
Troops, alongside volunteer forces, are currently conducting exploitation operations across the area to track fleeing terrorists and prevent regrouping attempts.
The military said the failed assault further demonstrated the desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the North-East.
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