Agency Report
Air component of Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised more than 50 suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, following precision air strikes on their withdrawal routes after a failed attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama that the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on artillery positions in Ngoshe at about 7:30pm on March 3.
The community is located approximately 12 kilometres from Pulka and 31 kilometres from Gwoza town.
An officer explained that the terrorists attempted to overrun the artillery positions in a surprise evening attack.
“The insurgents tried to seize the artillery positions through a surprise assault. Troops on ground responded effectively, but carried out a tactical withdrawal under intense fire to safeguard personnel and equipment, while reinforcements were being mobilised,” he said.
The sources noted that the insurgents adopted a hit-and-withdraw tactic, abandoning the scene before reinforcement troops fully secured the area.
Additional troops were immediately deployed, while surveillance aircraft tracked the fleeing fighters along identified withdrawal corridors.
“Upon receiving real-time intelligence from ground forces, air assets were deployed to engage the terrorists along their escape routes. The fighters were observed moving in clusters at two separate locations. Precision strikes were carried out on confirmed target clusters and movement trails. Battle Damage Assessment indicates that more than 50 terrorists were neutralised in two separate strike runs,” the officer stated.
He added that the air-ground coordination under Operation Hadin Kai ensured that, although the insurgents attempted to escape into forested enclaves, they were decisively engaged from the air.
“The strikes also disrupted their logistics and mobility capabilities within Ngoshe–Pulka corridor,” he said.
According to the sources, clearance and area-domination operations are ongoing to prevent any regrouping by the insurgents.
The officer noted that Ngoshe–Gwoza axis remains historically volatile due to intermittent activities by remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP who exploit the difficult terrain and proximity to cross-border forest zones.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to sustaining offensive pressure. The message is clear: any attempt to attack our positions will be met with overwhelming and coordinated firepower,” he said.
He assured residents of Gwoza and surrounding communities of the military’s continued commitment to protect lives, support resettlement efforts and consolidate the gains recorded in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in Borno State.
