Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have reinforced their dominance over Ngoshe and the wider Gwoza axis of Borno State, ensuring a peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration while effectively countering renewed terrorist propaganda.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, insurgent elements attempted to spread false claims of plans to overrun Ngoshe and hold Sallah prayers at the Central Mosque, in what she described as a desperate bid to create panic and project a false sense of strength.
TheFact Daily reports that Ngoshe, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area near the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria–Cameroon frontier, has long been a strategic location in the counter-insurgency campaign due to its history of terrorist activity and its proximity to key infiltration routes.
The Army said troops acted on credible intelligence to reinforce the area following an attempted incursion on March 4, intensifying clearance operations with the support of aerial surveillance and local residents. The response disrupted terrorist movements and led to the neutralisation of several insurgents.
As a result, Ngoshe and adjoining communities remained calm and secure throughout the Sallah period, with residents freely observing prayers and festivities without interference, further discrediting the insurgents’ claims.
In a show of confidence, troops led by the Commander, 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General NI Abdullahi, joined worshippers for Eid prayers at the Ngoshe Central Mosque, a move the Army said underscored its firm control of the area.
The Chief of Army Staff also commended the resilience and cooperation of residents, urging the public to disregard terrorist propaganda, which he described as a tactic by weakened groups to instill fear and undermine security efforts.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across the North East to consolidate gains, eliminate remaining threats, and ensure lasting peace in the region.
