Nigerian Troops Kill Seven ISWAP Fighters in Fierce Clash in Buni Gari, Yobe State

In a fierce confrontation on the night of Sunday, March 16, Nigerian troops from Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yanma, neutralized at least seven Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Buni Gari, Yobe State. The intense battle, which unfolded in the northeastern town, underscored the ongoing struggle against insurgency in the region.

Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, known for his focus on the Lake Chad region, broke the news on Monday via his X handle, citing intelligence sources. According to Makama, the clash began when ISWAP terrorists launched a sudden assault on Buni Gari, firing indiscriminately in an attempt to overrun the town. However, Nigerian troops, supported by local Yobe State hunters, responded with swift and decisive force.

The ensuing gunfight lasted over an hour, with the troops and hunters overpowering the insurgents through superior firepower and coordination. Makama reported that the terrorists suffered significant losses, with seven confirmed dead. In their retreat, the insurgents resorted to desperate measures, seizing a tricycle to evacuate four of their fallen fighters and using a motorcycle to transport three additional bodies as they fled the scene.

The victory came at a cost, however. Makama noted that a vigilante member, who bravely intercepted the fleeing terrorists, sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. Despite efforts to save him, the vigilante succumbed to his injuries, marking a somber note in an otherwise successful operation.

The clash in Buni Gari highlights the persistent threat posed by ISWAP, a splinter faction of Boko Haram that has intensified its campaign against Nigerian forces and civilians in recent years. The collaboration between the military and local hunters reflects a growing reliance on community support to bolster security efforts in the face of such attacks. While the defeat of the seven fighters deals a blow to ISWAP’s operations in Yobe State, the loss of the vigilante serves as a stark reminder of the human toll exacted by this enduring conflict.