Four soldiers feared killed as Army battles terrorists in Yobe

Troops

At least four soldiers were feared killed and several military assets destroyed following an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province/Boko Haram on the 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Buni Yadi, located in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The attack occurred less than 24 hours after the North-East Governors’ Forum convened in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where they endorsed a comprehensive strategy to combat insurgency in the region.

Just two weeks earlier, Boko Haram insurgents reportedly launched an assault on a military post in the Chalie area of Buni Yadi, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, one of the political aides to the state governor, Mai Mala Buni, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said about four soldiers were killed in the Saturday attack.

“There was an attack by the Boko Haram militants. They engaged the soldiers in a gun battle. They killed about four soldiers and vandalised their machines, including armoured tanks and some weapons,” he said.

The source noted that Buni, who was out of the state at the time, returned on the same day amid the attack.

He stated, “He (Buni) was in Katsina State for a wedding. He came back because of this incident, and action has commenced immediately.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, in a post on its official X handle on Saturday morning, disclosed that it was battling the terrorists.

The post read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari, Yobe State. Details later.”

Efforts by our correspondents to get the Army spokesperson, Onyechi Anele, were not successful.

She didn’t pick up her calls as of the time of filing this report. She has yet to respond to a message sent to her. Punch