The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the deaths of 17 police officers following a terrorist attack on a Nigerian Army Special Forces training school in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

It was gathered that the officers were undergoing specialised operational training when the attackers struck the facility in the early hours of May 8, in what authorities described as a coordinated assault.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the assailants launched the attack from multiple directions at about 1:15 a.m., overwhelming parts of the training institution during the incident.

“The officers, who were undergoing specialised operational training at the institution, lost their lives when terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the facility from multiple directions at about 0115hrs,” the statement read.

The Force also confirmed that several personnel of the Nigerian Army were killed while repelling the attackers during the exchange of fire.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, in the statement, described the deceased officers as gallant personnel who demonstrated exceptional dedication to national security through advanced counter-terrorism and tactical training.

He said the fallen officers paid the ultimate price in service to the nation and assured that their sacrifices would not be forgotten by the Force.

The IGP extended condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged continued support for those affected by the incident.

As part of a solidarity visit, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, visited the training facility on behalf of the Inspector-General, where he commiserated with military authorities and surviving trainees.

He also commended the resilience of the surviving officers and encouraged them to complete their training in honour of their fallen colleagues.

The Police further assured Nigerians that, in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, efforts were ongoing to track down and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

The Force reiterated its commitment to honouring the memory of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.