He said the terrorists sacked the troops from the brigade and burnt down all the equipment that were deployed there.

“They ransacked the armory, looted what they could and burnt it down;  they set ablaze the artillery, five MRAPs, anti-aircraft carriers, and over 20 Hilux vans,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, the Nigerian Army headquarters confirmed the attack via its verified Facebook page but didn’t give further details on the destruction recorded.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI are currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari, Yobe State. Details later,” it stated.

However, another soldier, who escaped the early morning attack said the terrorists stormed the areas in large numbers through the western direction, hauling explosives and shooting sporadically.

“We were taken off guard by the heavy explosions and gunfire, but we stood our ground but were later overpowered. A lot of our fighting equipment was destroyed during the encounter.

“Yes, we lost four of our men, just as they also recorded casualties during the fierce battle that last for hours….,“ he said.

He lamented that the soldiers were gruesomely killed by the terrorists “They were beheaded.”

Six military formations attacked so far

With this attack, at least six military formations have been targeted by the terrorists in Goneri, Wajirko, Sabongari, Izge and Wulgo, where soldiers were killed and military equipment looted or destroyed.

According to newspaper reports, attacks which happened between January and April 2025, had claimed the lives of an army commander, a captain and 22 soldiers.

A local security expert told our correspondent that five of the military locations overran by the insurgents were located at the Tumbuktu triangle within Sambisa forest.

“Sadly, they succeeded in overrunning all these bases that were strategically located to block their illegal activities within the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Hills,” he said.

Locals flee Buni Yadi

Local source who fled to the local council headquarters, Buni Yadi, said many residents have fled their homes to areas they consider safe.

“The military had shut down vehicular movement on the busy road, which serves as a link between Yobe and Biu and other towns in southern Borno,” he said.

Two weeks ago, Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military location in the Chalie area, Buni Yadi, where three soldiers were reportedly killed during the attack.

Over the past months, communities in Borno have suffered relentless assaults with insurgents targeting villages and military formations, particularly in Sabon Gari, Wajirko and Wulgo were they dislodged troops and stole arms and ammunition, among others.