In a devastating blow to Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts, suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched a major attack on the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, killing four soldiers and destroying critical military infrastructure.
The assault, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, represents an alarming escalation in the terrorists’ capabilities and boldness.
The attack has severely compromised Nigeria’s military readiness in the region. According to a security source who survived the assault, terrorists “ransacked the armoury, looted what they could and burnt it down; they set ablaze the artillery, five MRAPs, anti-aircraft carriers, and over 20 Hilux vans.”
This significant loss of equipment—including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) crucial for troop protection—has left the area vulnerable to further incursions.
The timing of the attack raises serious concerns, coming less than 24 hours after the North East Governors Forum met in Damaturu to discuss new approaches to combat insurgency. The brazen assault on Governor Mai Mala Buni’s home district, just 65km from the state capital, demonstrates the insurgents’ intent to undermine government authority.
This incident is not isolated but part of a worrying pattern. In the first four months of 2025 alone, terrorists have targeted at least six military formations in Goneri, Wajirko, Sabongari, Izge, and Wulgo. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of an army commander, a captain, and 22 soldiers, while enabling insurgents to seize weapons and destroy military equipment.
A local security expert noted that five overrun military bases were strategically positioned to block terrorist activities within the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Hills, stating: “Sadly, they succeeded in overrunning all these bases that were strategically located to block their illegal activities.”
Territorial Control Shifting
In an alarming development, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the Shehu of Borno have confirmed that entire local government areas—Abadam, Marte, and Guzamala—have fallen under Boko Haram control. This territorial loss threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and provides insurgents with safe havens to plan further attacks.
The situation is complicated by Nigeria’s porous borders with Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, facilitating the infiltration of foreign fighters amid broader security concerns across the Sahel region.
The attacks have triggered mass displacement as civilians flee to safer areas. Military responses, including road closures like the important route connecting Yobe to Biu and southern Borno towns, are further disrupting civilian life and economic activities in a region already devastated by years of conflict.
Urgent Calls for Action
Governor Zulum has called on the federal government to take the battle to terrorist strongholds in Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills in Sambisa Forest. He emphasised the need for “forces that will keep the ground, otherwise they will come back,” and requested additional military hardware including MRAPs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and personnel to improve surveillance and secure vulnerable areas.
While non-kinetic approaches have had some success—with over 300,000 insurgents and family members surrendering in the past three years—the recent surge in attacks indicates a dangerous regrouping of terrorist forces that threatens to reverse years of hard-won progress.
As Nigeria struggles with security challenges across multiple fronts, this deteriorating situation in the Northeast represents not just a regional crisis but a threat to national stability and territorial integrity that demands immediate and decisive action.
Nnaji nwa Nnaji be Oruruo
