Suspected terrorists have attacked the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing at least 17 police officers and several military personnel during a coordinated overnight assault.

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating that the slain officers were undergoing specialised operational and counter-terrorism training at the military institution when the attackers struck from multiple directions.

Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, said the attack occurred in the early hours of May 8 at about 1:15 a.m.

“The officers paid the supreme price in service to the nation following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi,” Mr Placid stated.

He added that some Nigerian Army personnel were also killed while resisting the assault, although the exact number of military casualties has yet to be disclosed by authorities.

The attack is regarded as one of the deadliest recent assaults on security formations in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to carry out violent attacks despite ongoing military operations.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu described the deceased officers as brave and patriotic personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.

The police chief extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured Nigerians that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be forgotten.

Meanwhile, Yobe State Commissioner of Police Usman Jibrin visited the military institution on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, where he met with the Commandant of the Special Forces School, Brigadier General A.C. Enuagu, alongside other military officers and surviving police trainees.

Mr Jibrin encouraged the remaining trainees to stay resolute and complete their training programme in honour of their fallen colleagues.

“The Force, in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, will sustain efforts to ensure that the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice,” Mr Placid added.

The latest assault has renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly in Yobe State, where insurgents continue to target military formations, communities, and public institutions.

Buni Yadi, located in a historically volatile axis of Yobe State, has witnessed repeated extremist attacks over the years.

Despite intensified counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai, recent incidents suggest that terrorist groups still retain significant operational capability within the region.

Security analysts say the attack further highlights the resilience of insurgent networks and raises fresh concerns over vulnerabilities in security installations across the North-East.

Nigeria’s insurgency crisis, now spanning more than a decade, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of residents across the region.