Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have reinforced their dominance in Ngoshe and Gwoza areas of Borno State, successfully countering terrorist propaganda and ensuring residents celebrated Eid-el-Fitr in peace.
Security sources revealed that insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, had recently circulated false claims of plans to overrun Ngoshe and hold Sallah prayers at the Central Mosque. The move was widely seen as an attempt to instill fear and project a misleading image of strength.
However, acting on credible intelligence, troops swiftly responded to an attempted incursion on March 4 by reinforcing positions and intensifying clearance operations. With support from aerial surveillance and cooperation from local residents, security forces disrupted terrorist movements and neutralised several insurgents.
Authorities confirmed that Ngoshe and the surrounding Gwoza axis remained calm and secure throughout the Sallah celebrations, allowing residents to observe prayers and festivities without disruption.
In a show of confidence, the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General NI Abdullahi, joined worshippers for Eid prayers at the Ngoshe Central Mosque—an act seen as boosting public morale and reinforcing trust in the military’s presence.
The Chief of Army Staff commended residents for their resilience and cooperation, describing community support as vital to ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. He also urged the public to ignore terrorist propaganda, warning that such narratives are tactics used by weakened groups to create panic.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across the North-East to eliminate remaining threats and maintain lasting peace in the region.
