The silence that follows an attack is often louder than the gunfire itself.In Yobe State, families are now left with unanswered phone calls, shattered hopes, and the painful reality that some of their loved ones will never return home again after a deadly terrorist assault on a military training facility claimed the lives of at least 17 police officers alongside several soldiers.

The attack, which targeted a military school in Buni Yadi, has once again exposed the human cost of Nigeria’s prolonged battle against insurgency and terrorism in parts of the North-East.

Beyond the casualty figures are men who wore the nation’s uniform with pride, officers who left home believing they were going to protect lives and defend the country, only to pay the ultimate price in the line of duty.

Reacting to the incident, former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, described the killings as a painful national tragedy and called for urgent action to strengthen the country’s security response and improve welfare support for security personnel and their families.

“The entire nation stands in solidarity with the leadership of the Armed Forces, the Police, the affected commands, and the wider security community,” Obi said in the statement.

He lamented the growing loss of security operatives to violent attacks, warning that the country must not become desensitised to the continuous killing of those tasked with defending it.

“Every security personnel killed is a tragedy to our nation. Every fallen officer represents a family thrown into grief, children left without parents, and communities robbed of those sworn to protect them,” he added.

Obi further urged the Federal Government to prioritise adequate compensation, long-term welfare packages, and institutional support for the families of officers who die in active service.

Security analysts have repeatedly stressed that beyond military operations, morale, welfare, intelligence gathering, and operational support remain critical in the fight against terrorism and banditry across the country.

The latest attack has again raised concerns about the safety of security formations and personnel operating in conflict-prone regions, especially in the North-East where insurgent activities continue to pose major threats despite years of military offensives.

While authorities are yet to disclose the exact number of soldiers killed during the assault, the deaths of the police officers have triggered renewed conversations around national security, preparedness, and the sacrifices made daily by frontline operatives.

“To the families of the fallen heroes, we mourn with you and honour the courage and sacrifice of your loved ones,” Obi stated.

As Nigerians continue to react to the tragedy, many are once again asking difficult questions about how long the nation can continue to lose both civilians and security personnel to recurring attacks without more decisive and coordinated action. (The Guardian)