Terrorists Kill 17 Police Officers During Attack on Army School in Yobe

Terrorists Kill 17 Police Officers During Attack on Army School in Yobe

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially confirmed the killing of 17 police officers during a deadly terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of May 8, 2026, targeted security personnel undergoing specialised counterterrorism and tactical training at the military institution.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, the police described the incident as a tragic loss to the nation and the security community.

According to the statement, heavily armed terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the facility from multiple directions at about 1:15 a.m., leading to intense gunfire and heavy casualties.

“The Nigeria Police Force regrettably announces the tragic loss of seventeen (17) police officers who paid the supreme price in service to the nation following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi,” the statement read.

The police disclosed that the slain officers were participating in advanced operational and counterterrorism training programmes at the institution when the terrorists attacked.

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Several Nigerian Army personnel were also reportedly killed during the operation while attempting to repel the attackers and protect the facility.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, described the fallen officers as courageous and dedicated personnel who demonstrated patriotism and commitment to national security through their participation in specialised tactical training.

The IGP extended condolences to the families of the deceased officers, assuring them that the sacrifices of the slain personnel would never be forgotten.

In a further show of solidarity, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, visited the military institution on behalf of the IGP to commiserate with the Commandant of the School, Brigadier General A.C. Enuagu, military personnel and surviving police officers undergoing training.

According to the statement, the police commissioner praised the resilience of the surviving officers and encouraged them to remain committed to completing the training programme in honour of their fallen colleagues.

Security sources said the terrorists invaded the facility under the cover of darkness, using sophisticated weapons and coordinated assault tactics commonly associated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Although authorities did not officially identify the group responsible for the attack, security analysts believe the operation bears the hallmarks of ISWAP insurgents who remain active in parts of Yobe and Borno states.

Buni Yadi and surrounding communities have repeatedly witnessed attacks by insurgent groups due to their strategic location within Nigeria’s conflict-prone North-East region.

The attack is considered one of the deadliest assaults on a security training facility in recent months and has renewed concerns over the growing sophistication of terrorist operations in the region.

The Nigeria Police Force assured Nigerians that it would continue working closely with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to track down and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The Nigeria Police Force salutes the courage, sacrifice, and service of the fallen officers whose dedication to duty will forever remain honoured by the nation,” the statement added.

The tragic incident has triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria, with many citizens mourning the officers and calling for stronger protection, improved intelligence gathering and better welfare for security personnel fighting terrorism.

Security experts have also renewed calls for enhanced surveillance technology, improved military-police coordination and increased investment in counterinsurgency operations to curb persistent attacks in the North-East.

Terrorists Kill 17 Police Officers During Attack on Army School in Yobe