Buni Gari, Yobe State – Suspected terrorists launched a drone attack on the 27 Task Force Brigade base in Buni Gari, Yobe State, on Wednesday, in a development that highlights the insurgents’ evolving tactics.
Security sources revealed that the attack occurred around 5 p.m. but was swiftly repelled by soldiers stationed at the base. According to the sources, three fighter drones deployed by the attackers were shot down, preventing any casualties or significant damage.
“It seems that is the latest now; the use of drones by these terrorists. They launched the attack around 5 p.m., but our men were vigilant immediately they started hearing a strange noise, and the three drones were shot down,” a source told SaharaReporters.
This incident comes less than 48 hours after six soldiers were injured in a similar drone strike by terrorists targeting a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Wajiroko, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. The earlier attack, which occurred on Monday afternoon, also involved the use of multiple armed drones carrying locally fabricated grenades.
A military signal obtained by journalists confirmed that during the Borno attack, a gun truck belonging to the army was damaged, though troops managed to repel the insurgents, forcing them to retreat. The signal read in part:
“At about 231300A Dec 24, terrs launched attk using mor and other fire arms on tps at FOB Wajiroko in Damboa LGA. Tps repelled the attk, forcing terrs to wdr in disarray.
Shortly after, at about 231323A DEC 24, FOB Wajiroko came under another attk using multiple armed drones carrying locally fabricated gren. TPS OBSN up to 4 diff armed drones. Own Cas. 5 X Sldrs sustained injuries. Own Eqpt Cas. 1 X GT damaged. BH/ISWAP CAS. Nil.”
While the injured soldiers in Borno are reported to have received first aid and are awaiting evacuation for further medical attention, the general situation in both locations is described as “calm but highly unpredictable.”
For over 14 years, Nigeria has been battling insurgency in the North East, spearheaded by Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The recent drone attacks signal a concerning shift in tactics by the insurgents, raising fresh challenges for the military in its counterinsurgency operations.
Despite these challenges, military sources affirm that troop morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory as the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to combat the evolving threat.