By Odita Sunday
When terrorists struck Banki and Bula Yobe in Borno State on September 18, 2025, the intent was chillingly familiar: destabilise resettled communities, uproot families once again, and reclaim lost territory. But this time, things turned out differently.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), backed by air support, stood their ground. In fierce battles that lasted hours, they repelled waves of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, killing many and forcing the rest to retreat in disarray.
For the over 10,000 households that had only recently returned after years in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), it was a close call. Yet, their survival was a testament to the resilience of both soldiers and civilians in a war-weary region still struggling to reclaim normalcy.
Banki, a border town near Cameroon, was once one of the worst-hit by Boko Haram insurgency. At its lowest point, much of the town lay in ruins, with schools, markets, and homes deserted as residents fled en masse.
Similarly, Bula Yobe was long under the shadow of insurgent raids. Families were forced to abandon their farms, their children’s education disrupted, and entire livelihoods wiped away.
Their gradual return in the past two years has been celebrated as a symbol of resilience. Farmers went back to the fields, local markets reopened, and schools resumed lessons. But this fragile peace has remained vulnerable.
“We were just beginning to live like humans again,” said Amina Musa, a widow who lost her husband during the insurgency and now sells food in Banki market. “When we heard gunfire that night, my heart almost stopped. I thought we would be displaced again. But the soldiers did not let them enter.”
Eyewitnesses recall that the coordinated assault by ISWAP fighters was meant to overwhelm. “They came in large numbers, shooting and shouting,” recounted a local farmer. “We ran into our houses and prayed.”
But unlike in the past, the military had anticipated such moves. Reinforced positions, intelligence-led surveillance, and swift air cover made the difference.
According to Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 OPHK, the attackers suffered heavy casualties in both manpower and equipment.
“The terrorists were dealt a decisive blow,” he told troops and community leaders during an operational visit to Banki on September 19. “Your Army remains unwavering in its commitment to protect you, your families, and your means of survival.”
While the success of the defence was celebrated, it did not come without sacrifice. One soldier was killed in action, and several others sustained injuries.
In a statement, the Nigerian Army described the fallen as a hero who “paid the supreme price in defence of thousands of families.”
For residents, the sacrifice is deeply personal. “That young man died so that our children can sleep in their beds tonight,” said Mallam Ibrahim, a community elder in Bula Yobe. “We will never forget him.”
The attempted ISWAP invasion highlights both the progress and fragility of counterinsurgency efforts in the North-East.
Over the last two years, thousands of displaced persons have been encouraged to return home under government resettlement programmes. Humanitarian agencies have restored schools, built health centres, and supported livelihoods.
Yet, the insurgents remain desperate to reclaim lost ground. Analysts say that attacks on resettled communities are designed not just to inflict casualties but to undermine confidence in the return process.
“If Banki or Bula Yobe had fallen, it would have sent shockwaves through the entire resettlement programme,” explained a security analyst in Maiduguri. “It would have meant more displacement, more fear, and a propaganda victory for ISWAP.”
The war against Boko Haram and its ISWAP offshoot has stretched for more than 15 years, claiming over 35,000 lives and displacing more than 2 million people.
While major towns like Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Monguno are now relatively secure, rural communities remain at risk. ISWAP’s strategy has shifted from holding territory to staging raids, ambushes, and attacks on “soft targets.”
This makes the military’s role not just about defeating insurgents, but about defending ordinary life—farms, markets, schools, and roads.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, has repeatedly emphasized that the Army’s constitutional mandate is not only to safeguard lives and property but also to help communities reclaim dignity.
For residents of Banki and Bula Yobe, the repelled invasion has paradoxically strengthened their resolve.
“Before, we were always afraid the terrorists would come back,” said Hauwa, a teacher in Banki. “But seeing the soldiers fight for us, we believe we can continue teaching, farming, and living.”
Humanitarian workers also breathed a sigh of relief. “Had these communities been overrun, aid delivery would have collapsed,” said a staffer with an international NGO, requesting anonymity. “This defence preserved not just lives but livelihoods.”
Despite the victory, challenges remain. Security experts caution that ISWAP will likely regroup and attempt further raids. Troop morale, equipment maintenance, and community trust must be sustained.
For families who have buried too many loved ones, the longing is simple: lasting peace.
The Nigerian Army, for its part, has pledged to sustain operations and reinforce collaboration with local communities. “This war cannot be won by the military alone,” General Unachukwu reminded residents. “It requires vigilance, unity, and trust between soldiers and citizens.”
As the dust settles on Banki and Bula Yobe, the story is not just of a foiled invasion. It is of communities determined not to be uprooted again, soldiers willing to lay down their lives, and a nation struggling to emerge from the shadows of insurgency.
In the words of one displaced elder who has now returned to his ancestral land:
“We owe the soldiers our prayers, and we owe Nigeria our courage. They protect us with their blood; we must rebuild with our hands.”
For the 10,000 households shielded by the bravery of Operation HADIN KAI troops, hope—though fragile—remains alive.
How Nigerian Troops Foiled ISWAP Invasion, Shielding 10,000 Households Rebuilding Life in Banki, Bula Yobe
