Nigerian Troops in Fierce Battle with ISWAP in Buni Gari, Yobe State

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI are currently locked in a fierce gun battle with fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Buni Gari, Yobe State.

According to military sources, the attack began earlier today when heavily armed ISWAP insurgents launched a coordinated assault on military positions in the town. The terrorists, who reportedly arrived in large numbers, opened fire indiscriminately, prompting an immediate response from the Nigerian troops stationed in the area.

Eyewitnesses report intense gunfire and explosions, as the Nigerian Army, supported by local security volunteers and hunters, engages the insurgents in an ongoing effort to repel the attack.

“The situation is tense, but our troops are firmly in control and are responding effectively,” a military source told reporters under condition of anonymity.

Buni Gari has been a recurring flashpoint in the fight against insurgency in the North-East. In December 2024, troops successfully intercepted and shot down an armed drone launched by Boko Haram/ISWAP targeting the 27 Task Force Brigade headquarters in the same town. That incident, which ended without casualties, underscored the increasing sophistication of terrorist tactics in the region.

This latest attack comes amid a troubling surge in extremist violence across northeastern Nigeria. Just last month, over 48 people were killed in coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States, raising concerns over a possible resurgence of jihadist activity.

As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement regarding the Buni Gari operation. Residents have been advised to remain indoors while security operations continue.