Troops Crush Massive ISWAP Raid in Buni Gari, 50 Terrorists Neutralized

​BUNI GARI, Nigeria – In a fierce display of tactical dominance, the Nigerian military’s Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) decimated a large-scale assault by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Thursday, May 8, 2026.

​The early morning battle, which took place at the Headquarters 27 Brigade and the Buni Gari Checkpoint, resulted in the death of at least 50 terrorists and the recovery of a significant cache of military-grade weaponry.

​The Midnight Ambush

​The engagement began at approximately 02:00 AM under total darkness. ISWAP fighters launched a multi-pronged attack, initially striking from the western flank before attempting a pincer movement from the southern and south-western axes, specifically near the Ganinga Junction.

​Military sources report that the insurgents intended to encircle the base. However, the troops maintained discipline, utilizing indirect fire and a “coordinated air–land operation” to break the siege.

​Aerial Superiority and Pursuit

​The OPHK Air Component provided critical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage, allowing ground troops to track the enemy in real-time. Precision air strikes were called in as the terrorists retreated toward Gashua, Azare, and Kamuya.

​”The terrorists were met with such devastating resistance that they retreated in confusion,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK. “At no point was any part of the camp breached.”

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​The Cost of Victory

​While the military successfully defended the integrity of the base, the victory came at a heavy price. Two gallant soldiers lost their lives during the intense firefight.

​Field reports indicate that several Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks sustained minor damage. All wounded personnel are currently in stable condition and receiving medical care.

​Recovered Armament:

• ​8 AK-47 Rifles
• ​2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
• ​2 Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes & 5 bombs
• ​3 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) canisters
• ​Thousands of rounds of 7.62mm ammunition

​Ongoing Operations

​This clash follows a period of heightened activity in the North East, where ISWAP has increasingly targeted military outposts. Despite these desperate attempts to regain territory, OPHK remains “resolute and battle-ready,” with aggressive mop-up operations currently underway across the general area to deny any attempt at regrouping.