Nigerian troops have reportedly killed several insurgents and regained control of a military formation in Ngoshe, a community in Borno State that was recently attacked by terrorists linked to Boko Haram.
Security sources said the operation to recapture the village was carried out on Wednesday with support from the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters. The effort followed a deadly raid in which insurgents killed several residents and abducted dozens of people, including women and children.
According to a security source, around 200 soldiers stationed in the nearby town of Pulka were deployed to Ngoshe last Friday. However, about 60 troops who remained in the village reportedly withdrew after spotting a large group of approaching militants. Reinforcements were later sent to the area, leading to a fierce confrontation that eventually allowed the military to retake the facility and surrounding territory.
The source confirmed that government forces are now in control of the military formation and nearby communities following the intense battle.
Local reports indicate that the assault on Ngoshe was jointly carried out by Boko Haram and the rival faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The village lies close to the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area, an area believed to host a base operated by Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde.
The recapture of the village came shortly after the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, convened a meeting with service chiefs amid a surge in attacks on military facilities in the region. Musa acknowledged that some military personnel had been killed in recent incidents but said the insurgents had suffered heavier casualties.
In the past week alone, more than five military formations have reportedly been targeted. On Monday, ISWAP fighters attacked two bases in Goniri and Kukawa in Borno State, killing a commanding officer, Umar Farouq, and several other soldiers. The attackers also destroyed operational military vehicles during the raids.
Military authorities said the assault on the Kukawa base resulted in heavy losses for the terrorists, while the Nigerian Air Force helped repel the attack on the Goniri facility. Earlier attacks were also reported in Mainok, Jakana, Marte and Konduga, where troops said they repelled insurgents and eliminated several fighters.
Security analysts link the renewed assaults to “Camp Holocaust,” a campaign launched by ISWAP last year targeting military personnel and installations. A report by Good Governance Africa said at least 16 military bases were attacked during the campaign in 2025, while the Institute for Security Studies estimates that roughly 500 people died in about 200 related attacks.
The insurgency has also seen militants deploy more sophisticated weapons, including armed drones. Nigerian military officials said drones were used during recent attacks in Mainok, Jakana, Marte and Konduga.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement confirming the recapture of Ngoshe. Meanwhile, dozens of villagers abducted during the earlier attack remain in captivity. Insurgents recently released a video showing some of the victims, including children dressed in military-style uniforms.
