• Monarch confirms death of captain, terrorists
• Stop giving terrorists, bandits undue publicity, minister urges media

Nigerian troops from the 26 Task Force Brigade, under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have repelled attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on their Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Izge, Gwoza Local Council of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, disclosed this in a post on his X handle yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to media professionals to stop granting undue publicity to terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, whose activities threaten the peace and security of the country.

Makama revealed that during a follow-up clearance operation conducted in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), troops discovered the corpses of neutralised insurgents, bringing the total terrorist casualties to five.

According to the security expert, the troops also recovered one motorcycle, 10 bicycles, a PKT machine gun and an ammunition belt along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.

“The attempted infiltration occurred on May 7, 2025, about 0035hrs, but was swiftly foiled due to the vigilance and superior firepower of troops from E Company, 114 Battalion (Main),” he added.

Emir of Gwoza, HRH Mohammed Timta, confirmed the killing of a captain and a private soldier when some armed terrorists invaded the Izge community of Gwoza.

The incident also left three terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram dead, with the recovery of motorcycles, bicycles, an operational vehicle and a sophisticated rifle, all belonging to the terrorists.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, the traditional ruler commended the military, men of the CJTF, local hunters, vigilantes and the resilient community in Izge for their collaborative efforts in repelling the attack.

AT the seventh edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series, yesterday, the minister underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and supporting national security efforts.

Describing media professionals as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, he insisted that this position is crucial in supporting the morale of the country’s military by highlighting their successes and sacrifices.

The minister, therefore, cautioned against massive publicity granted to the elements over the years, stressing that such opportunities boost their ego and empower them to continue in their nefarious acts.