Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled a terrorist attack on a military position in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, restoring control of the location after a swift counter-offensive.
This is even as Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s fight against terrorism following a security briefing with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The briefing followed a closed-door meeting on Thursday between the president and top security officials, including the service chiefs and the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
The meeting comes amid renewed attacks on security personnel and military formations across the country, including a deadly assault on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, General Musa said the session was convened to update the President on the current security situation and to clarify developments surrounding recent attacks.
According to the Defence Minister, despite the recent attacks, security forces have inflicted significant losses on terrorist groups.
“Our appeal to Nigerians is not to get tired and not to be discouraged, because sometimes when you hear the news, you think that is all that is happening, but it is far from that.
“The terrorists and bandits are taking more casualties. Their commanders are being killed. We have, however, lost a number of very courageous officers and men, which is highly regrettable. But we want to assure Nigerians that it is a commitment we have on the ground to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” he added.
General Musa added that the military leadership considered it necessary to provide a clearer picture of the situation, noting that public interpretation of events, particularly through media reports, did not always reflect the full realities of the conflict.
Commending president Bola Tinubu for the support, the Minister further disclosed that the President had approved additional military equipment to strengthen ongoing operations.
“The President has promised more equipment for us to be able to prosecute the war, and we are sure of victory. It is war, and war comes in phases,” he said.
However, in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, on 11 March 2026, the terrorists have launched an attack on the military position on March 3.
According to the statement, reinforcement teams drawn from the Forward Operating Base in Pulka and the 151 Battalion were immediately mobilised to support troops at the location.
“During the reinforcement operation, the leading Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which damaged two tyres. Undeterred, troops continued the advance to the location,” the statement said.
It added that a special reinforcement team led by the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, under Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, later arrived at the scene and coordinated a counter-attack that forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area.
During the exchange of fire and subsequent pursuit of the fleeing insurgents, troops recovered three AK-47 rifles and a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) barrel.
The statement further noted that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided heavy air support during the operation, neutralising several of the terrorists.
Following the successful reoccupation of the location and subsequent clearance operations in the area, Brigadier General Abdullahi addressed the troops, commending their gallantry and resilience.
He urged them to sustain aggressive operations to further degrade terrorist elements operating within the general area.
The military authorities said troops of Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action and will continue to conduct sustained operations aimed at ensuring lasting peace, security and economic stability across the North East.
According to the statement, the morale of troops remains high and operations in the theatre are ongoing.