The Nigerian Air Force has killed about 50 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in a series of air strikes around Ngoshe in Borno State, following a deadly insurgent attack on the community earlier this week.
The air component of the North-East Joint Task Force operating under Operation Hadin Kai has eliminated at least 50 terrorists linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province during coordinated air strikes in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area.
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The strikes were launched after insurgents carried out a deadly attack on the border community near Cameroon.
According to security sources, the terrorists had earlier attempted to overrun Nigerian Army artillery positions in Ngoshe during a coordinated assault on March 3, 2026.
An officer involved in the operation, who requested anonymity, said the attack began around 7:30 p.m. when insurgents launched a surprise offensive on military positions.
“The terrorists attempted to seize our artillery positions through a surprise assault,” the officer revealed.
However, Nigerian troops reportedly responded swiftly and carried out what was described as a tactical withdrawal to protect personnel and equipment while reinforcements were mobilised.
Shortly afterwards, the Nigerian Air Force conducted multiple precision air strikes on the terrorists’ withdrawal routes, killing dozens of insurgents and forcing the remaining fighters to retreat.
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama disclosed that the air strikes targeted fleeing terrorists attempting to escape towards border areas.
The development came as Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the terrorist attack on the Ngoshe community.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, including civilians and military personnel.
The Presidency also acknowledged that some casualties occurred during the aerial operation when a strike targeting fleeing terrorists accidentally affected nearby individuals in what authorities described as friendly fire.
Despite the tragedy, Tinubu praised the armed forces and other security agencies for their swift response to the incident.
“The President commended the bravery of the Armed Forces in confronting the terrorists and protecting Nigerian communities,” the statement said.
He urged residents of Borno State and Nigerians in general not to give in to fear despite ongoing terrorist threats.
Tinubu also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue individuals abducted during the attack and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities across the North-East.
The President further instructed the military to reinforce security around civilian settlements and prevent future attacks on military formations in the region.
Ngoshe, located about 12 kilometres south of Pulka, has experienced repeated insurgent attacks between 2013 and 2024, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring Cameroon for more than a decade.