Bloodbath in Yobe as ISWAP Kills 17 Police Officers, Troops at Special Forces School

DAMATURU, NIGERIA — In a devastating breach of security, heavily armed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists launched a coordinated pre-dawn assault on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing 17 police officers and an unconfirmed number of soldiers.

​The highly organized assault, which occurred at approximately 1:15 AM on May 8, 2026, targeted elite security personnel undergoing advanced counter-terrorism and tactical operations training at the prominent military facility.

​A Coordinated Midnight Siege

​According to official statements and military intelligence, the insurgents swarmed the training institution from multiple directions. Heavily armed with sophisticated weaponry, the attackers attempted to overrun the base.

​Troops from the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai alongside the trainee officers engaged the terrorists in a fierce, hours-long gun battle, successfully repelling the assault. Military sources indicate that while the security agencies suffered heavy casualties, the counter-offensive inflicted devastating losses on the terrorists, neutralising dozens of the attackers.

​The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, confirmed the heavy casualties within the police ranks on Saturday, describing the fallen personnel as intensely patriotic operatives who paid the ultimate price while sharpening their skills to protect the country.

​”These were courageous and dedicated personnel who demonstrated exceptional patriotism and commitment to national security through their participation in advanced counter-terrorism programmes,” IGP Disu stated, offering his deepest condolences to the grieving families.

​High-Level Security Delegations Visit Scene

​In the wake of the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police for Yobe State, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, paid an assessment and condolence visit to the institution on behalf of the IGP.

​CP Jibrin met with the Commandant of the Special Forces School, Brigadier General A.C. Enuagu, alongside surviving police and army personnel. Observers noted that despite the trauma of the midnight raid, the atmosphere at the school remained resolute. CP Jibrin commended the exceptional resilience of the surviving trainees, urging them to complete their specialized program as a lasting tribute to their slain colleagues.

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​Regional Context and Heightened Tension

​The Buni Yadi and Buni Gari axes of Yobe State have historically been flashpoints for insurgent activity, with ISWAP frequently targeting military infrastructure across the Lake Chad Basin. This latest assault marks one of the costliest encounters for law enforcement personnel undergoing specialized training in recent months.

​Amidst the fallout of the attack, defense headquarters has warned against the spread of misinformation on social media, where outdated videos of past insurgent clashes are being falsely circulated to exaggerate the current scale of the security breach.

​The high commands of both the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces have vowed to track down the perpetrators, promising sustained, collaborative operations to secure the general area of Gujba LGA and bring the masterminds of the ambush to justice.