In a devastating escalation of insurgent violence in Nigeria’s North East, suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the early hours of Saturday, May 3, launched a deadly assault on the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
At least four soldiers were confirmed killed, and dozens of operational vehicles and heavy equipment were destroyed.
The attack occurred just hours after the North East Governors’ Forum concluded a high-level meeting in Damaturu, where regional leaders endorsed a new multi-pronged approach to tackle insecurity. But the Buni Yadi strike offered a grim reminder that the insurgency remains capable of inflicting significant damage.
Security sources described a coordinated pre-dawn attack in which insurgents approached from the western axis, overwhelming the brigade with heavy gunfire and explosives. “They came in large numbers and caught the troops off guard,” one soldier recounted. “They destroyed virtually everything—our artillery, MRAPs, anti-aircraft trucks, and over 20 Hilux vehicles.”
The army acknowledged the attack via a brief statement posted on social media, confirming an ongoing battle under Operation HADIN KAI but withholding further details.
Survivors of the assault reported that the battle raged for hours. “It was a brutal fight,” one said. “We held our ground as long as we could, but they had superior firepower. We lost four men, and they were gruesomely killed—they were beheaded.”
Civilians Flee, Roads Blocked
The aftermath saw panic spread across the region. Residents of Buni Yadi fled in droves, seeking refuge in nearby towns. The military shut down the Buni Yadi–Biu road, a critical link between Yobe and southern Borno, as a precaution.
Local accounts described the attack as one of the most destructive seen in recent months. The insurgents not only looted the brigade’s armoury but also torched all they couldn’t carry.
A Pattern of Military Base Attacks
The Buni Yadi incident is part of a troubling pattern of assaults targeting military formations in the North East. In just four months, at least six such attacks have been recorded, resulting in the deaths of more than 25 military personnel, including senior officers.
Between January and April 2025, insurgents overran military locations in Sabon Gari, Wajirko, Malamfatori, Izge, Wulgo, and now Buni Yadi. The attacks have exposed gaps in intelligence, logistics, and force protection.
Security experts warn that many of the overrun positions lie within the strategic Tumbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest—a hotbed for insurgent regrouping and staging operations.
Zulum Urges Stronger Military Response
In response, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum renewed calls for a more aggressive military campaign in the Lake Chad basin and Sambisa Forest. He urged the deployment of additional troops, surveillance drones, and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) to block insurgent mobility.
Zulum also stressed the importance of maintaining a sustained ground presence in recaptured areas. “We cannot allow them to reoccupy territories we’ve already cleared,” he said. “They are regrouping, and we must not give them space to breathe.”
He acknowledged progress on the non-kinetic front, revealing that over 300,000 former insurgents and their families had surrendered in the last three years. But he emphasized that military force remained essential to consolidating those gains.
Mounting Pressure on Defence Leadership
With rising attacks and public confidence waning, pressure is mounting on the federal government and defence authorities to reassess their counter-insurgency strategy. Analysts warn that unless military bases are adequately defended, insurgents will continue to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The Buni Yadi attack is not an isolated case,” said a retired army colonel familiar with operations in the region. “It reflects a broader tactical shift by the insurgents—targeting soft military positions, looting weapons, and trying to demoralize troops.”
As the nation awaits a more detailed military response, families mourn the fallen, and a weary region braces for what may come next.
