Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have maintained firm control over Ngoshe and Gwoza areas of Borno State, successfully countering terrorist propaganda and ensuring a peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration across the axis.

Terrorists linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP had recently circulated false claims of plans to overrun Ngoshe and hold Sallah prayers at the Central Mosque, in what security authorities described as a desperate attempt to create panic and project a false sense of strength.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said in a statement on Sunday that the claims reflected a struggling group increasingly reliant on misinformation rather than operational capability.

She recalled that on the night of March 3 to 4, 2026, terrorists attacked Ngoshe, a rural community in Gwoza Local Government Area, targeting a military base, burning buildings and vehicles, and assaulting civilians after they broke their Ramadan fast.

According to local sources and United Nations reports, dozens of people were killed during the হামলা, while more than 100 women and children were abducted. The attack also displaced about 12,000 residents—approximately 1,067 households—who fled to nearby Pulka town as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Anele said troops, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly reinforced the area following the attempted incursion on March 4 and intensified clearance operations. She noted that the proactive response, supported by aerial surveillance and the cooperation of vigilant residents, disrupted terrorist movements and led to the neutralisation of several insurgents.

“Consequently, Ngoshe and the adjoining Gwoza axis remained calm, secured, and firmly under the control of Nigerian Army troops throughout the Sallah period. Residents freely observed prayers and celebrated without any interference, further exposing the hollowness of terrorist claims,” she said.

Anele added that troops, led by the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen. N.I. Abdullahi, joined worshippers to observe Eid prayers at the Ngoshe Central Mosque. She said the gesture reassured residents and underscored the continued failure of terrorist propaganda.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, commended the resilience and cooperation of the local population, noting that their support remains critical to sustaining ongoing successes.

He urged the public to disregard and avoid amplifying terrorist propaganda, describing such narratives as deliberate tools used by weakened groups to instill fear and undermine security efforts.

Shaibu assured that troops of Operation Hadin Kai would sustain aggressive operations across the theatre to consolidate gains, eliminate residual threats, and ensure lasting peace and security in the North-East.