On May 8, 2026, at 1:15 A: M, terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
The attackers struck from multiple directions while officers were asleep inside the facility.
Seventeen Nigerian Police Force officers, who were undergoing advanced counter-terrorism training, lost their lives.
They were not on patrol or in the field but preparing to become better defenders of peace. Several Nigerian Army personnel also died while fighting off the attack.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, described the fallen as courageous patriots whose dedication to national security will always be remembered.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kanfani Jibrin visited the school, stood with survivors, honoured those lost, and delivered a message: “Complete the training. Do it for those who no longer can.”
To the 17 families now grieving, officials emphasised that their loved ones died while preparing to protect Nigeria.
Authorities vowed that those responsible would be found and justice would be served.
The Commentator Man (@ManCommentator) said: “When terrorists attack armed forces in a special training camp… Continue to let the political class divide you and gaslight you into saying ‘there is no terror. ‘ It exists, they are murdering people.
Radicalyouthman (@Hidden4rmTruth) has this to say: “But how do special forces trainees go to sleep, all of them?… Nobody to watch the sentry? I thought military installations always had an ‘eagle eye’ manning the four cardinal points? How does a military installation go to sleep? Even in my house, I don’t sleep like that… Sad Sha.. Very sad…. Very very sad.”
Mykel (@michaelotue) states: “They will be found and released as ‘repentant’. The politicians will sew uniforms for them, and some of our security officials will say they are Nigerians and should be reintegrated into society. I feel sorry for the men we lost, but the policymakers favour the enemy.”
Animasahun Oladimeji (@pastorsally50) notes, “May the souls of the departed rest in peace. The Nigerian government has to rise to the occasion and stop handling this insurgency thing with kid gloves. We can’t have our security men, citizens unalived daily; this is unacceptable.”
HighChiefWisdom (@wisdomikedichi1) asked, “Okay… I want to ask a question, and I need a sincere Answer! When some of these terrorists are captured, they will be clothed, fed, trained, and reintegrated into society as Repentant Bandit / Boko Haram. What are you people hiding from us? Why pampering them?”
My name(@Zoomboomng, on his part, said: “All of you were sleeping. Is there not an English word called Sentry? That’s by the way. Whenever they are apprehended, rehabilitate the terrorists back into society, marry wives for them and empower them with seed money to start a new life. Nigeria is a very fair country.”
Jewlius (@jstjewlius) also stated: “Those responsible will be found and freed. Until we get sense… Y’all know what to do, but you won’t until they wipe everyone of you…”
Gold Collins (@Gold_coll27666) shares his opinion thus, “@aleeygiwa, as you mourn your comrades, I believe you know FG have been integrating terrorists back to force, and the community has repented, and you never campaigned and spoke out. The same so-called repentant gave information to active ones on the locations to attack, allegedly. RIP to the fallen.”
Klem (@ClementOfUrhobo) said: “They were not on patrol or in the field, but training to become better at protecting you” To intimidate Nigerians, actually, because the MO of the Nigerian Police in recent years is nothing less than a thug Force against the defenceless Masses who fear the police more than thieves.
IamResponsible (@am_responsible, observed: “Those responsible will be found, and justice will be served” My brother, nothing will happen! Rehabilitation will catch up with them before you do.”
ANFIELD (@jazzyarthurmoss) said: “In this age and time, we still don’t have enough technology to detect enemies approaching or proper surveillance. Hope ordinary Nigerians can see that OYO is their case, the same security agencies that can’t protect themselves, how do they protect you? A whopping 17 souls wasted just like that! 17 security men!
The voice… (@VoiceF42050) said: “A war is still ongoing, yet instead of victory, we keep hearing about ‘repentant terrorists’ being granted amnesty and pardons. Meanwhile, brave Nigerian soldiers continue to pay the ultimate price defending the nation against Boko Haram and bandits.”
Famous Isaacs (@thefamousisaacs) said: “Have any idea how many innocent Nigerian youths leave home daily but never return because your men killed them? I’ll never have any pity for any police officer. Should I pity the dog that threatened to shoot my driver in Delta State last week? Y’all deserve whatever you get!
Nwabughiogu Sunny (@Diamond20101989) said: “When I call out the clueless thing in Aso Rock who has prioritised politics over the security of this country, won’t your men come for me? It’s so unfortunate that you people have decided to play politics with the lives of our gallant, beautiful service men and women.
Solomon Iyire (@solomoniyire) has something to say about the incident: “Na so them dey kill civilians for nothing. I don’t mourn the death of the police. To me, it’s good news until the police change their ways.”
EcomRaybaba (@jtabdulrahman) shares his thoughts, “What kind of monitoring and surveillance do the police and army have around their critical infrastructure? How can terrorists be approaching barracks and army bases, and there is no technology to show a live threat is approaching? Like what kind of training was ongoing then?”
FESCANG (@FESCANG2025) said: “We mourn the senseless loss of lives and send our condolences to families of the bereaved, the entire security services and the nation. However, we demand an independent investigation into this audacious attack, as it is impossible without collaborators. Time to end the insurgency.”
OmoOba Olukokun (@OyederuOyewande) said, “May God grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss. The painful part is not arresting their spokesperson living within us; those are enemies within. Sheikh Gumi should be arrested.”
