Army Reclaims Ngoshe After Fierce Battle Over 100 Abducted Residents Still Missing

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have reclaimed Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after repelling insurgents in a fierce counter-offensive.

The border community, which shares proximity with Cameroon, had earlier come under attack on February 24, 2026, when terrorists abducted more than 100 residents, mostly women and children.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed that troops regained control of the community in the early hours of Thursday following a swift military response.

He explained that the terrorists had earlier launched an attack on the area, which was occupied by troops on March 3, prompting the military to mobilise reinforcement teams to secure the strategic location.

According to Uba, troops from the Forward Operating Base in Pulka and the 151 Battalion were quickly deployed to reinforce the position and reclaim the community from the insurgents.

“During the reinforcement operation, the leading Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which damaged two tyres. Despite the incident, the troops continued their advance toward the objective,” he said.

He further disclosed that a special reinforcement team led by the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, later arrived at the scene and coordinated a counter-attack that forced the insurgents to retreat from the area.

During the exchange of gunfire and subsequent pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, troops recovered three AK-47 rifles and the barrel of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

The operation also received aerial support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, which carried out targeted strikes that neutralised several insurgents.

Following the successful recapture of the community, Brigadier General Abdullahi addressed the troops, praising their bravery and resilience while urging them to intensify operations to dismantle remaining terrorist cells operating around border communities such as Pulka, Kirawa and Bokko.

Despite the success of the operation, security sources indicated that more than 100 residents abducted during the earlier attack are yet to be rescued.

Uba noted that troops remain on high alert and are continuing aggressive operations across the region to deny terrorists freedom of movement and restore lasting peace and stability in the Northeast.

The military high command has also commended the troops for their courage and determination, urging them to sustain the current operational momentum in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Fresh Terror in Borno: Insurgents Kill Civilians in Ngoshe, Burn Konduga Military Base

By Umar Ahmad

Communities in Borno State have again been shaken by fresh attacks from suspected Boko Haram insurgents, with deadly assaults reported in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, and Konduga Local Government Area.

In Ngoshe, residents were jolted awake around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday when armed insurgents launched a surprise attack on a military position in the town before turning their assault on civilians.

Local sources said the attackers overwhelmed the soldiers during the confrontation and then moved into parts of the community, shooting sporadically and setting houses on fire.

Several civilians were reportedly killed during the chaos, while a number of women were abducted by the insurgents.

Many residents fled their homes in fear as the attackers wreaked havoc across the town.

Preliminary reports also indicated that about nine soldiers may have lost their lives during the fierce exchange of gunfire, although security authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualty figure.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, confirmed that the attack resulted in deaths and abductions, adding that many residents are still unaccounted for.

Early reports suggest that more than 300 people may be missing or abducted following the raid.

Meanwhile, a separate security incident was also reported in Konduga Local Government Area.

According to security updates from local sources, armed opposition groups (AOGs) attacked a military base in Konduga on March 5, 2026.

During the assault, the attackers reportedly overpowered the troops and dislodged the base.

Tragically, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Konduga formation was said to have been killed while attempting to escape after the insurgents gained control of the base.

Sources further disclosed that the attackers set the military facility on fire, leaving the base completely destroyed.

Although the insurgents have reportedly withdrawn from the area, the security situation in Konduga remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments.

Security forces have since taken control of the affected areas while efforts continue to track the attackers and provide humanitarian assistance to residents displaced by the violence.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over security challenges in parts of Borno State, with residents calling for stronger military operations and improved protection for vulnerable communities across the region.

Buni Approves Law School Scholarships for 148 Indigent Yobe Students

Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved immediate scholarships for 148 indigent students from Yobe State to study at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos campus, for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The approval, aimed at easing the financial burden on the beneficiaries, was disclosed in Damaturu during the disbursement of funds to the selected students drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Bello Kawuwa, said the decision followed a joint meeting of the Yobe State Scholarships Board and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Kawuwa explained that the administration remains committed to expanding access to quality education, particularly for students pursuing professional careers.

“The approval was granted during a joint session of the Scholarships Board and the Ministry. This intervention is to ensure that our students proceed to the Law School without financial constraints,” he said.

He added that the state government would continue to prioritise education service delivery by supporting Yobe indigenes in higher institutions across the country.

“The Buni administration is determined to invest in our human capital. We will continue to support every qualified student from the state in their academic pursuit,” Kawuwa stated.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and disciplined throughout their programme at the Law School, noting that the gesture reflects the government’s broader commitment to strengthening education, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) development.

He emphasised that the students’ success would justify the state’s sustained investments in education and professional training.