Army rejects fake claims of 40 soldier deaths, vows continued offensive against terrorists

The Nigerian Army has rejected claims circulating online that 40 soldiers were killed in Ngoshe, describing the report as misleading, false, and intended to undermine troop morale.

The clarification came from the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, during a visit to Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri to assess the impact of recent terrorist attacks on lives and property.

Lt-Gen. Shuaibu ordered immediate reinforcement of troops and the deployment of additional equipment to sustain operations against fleeing Boko Haram remnants, assuring that the army remains fully capable of decisively neutralizing insurgents and restoring lasting peace in the region.

A statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, quoted the army chief saying:

“The claims of killing 40 soldiers in the attacked community of Ngoshe are false. The report relied largely on unverified sources from other security agencies in the state. During our three-hour closed-door meeting at the theatre command and control centre here in Maiduguri, we found that only a few gallant soldiers, along with their commander, lost their lives while protecting the border community with Cameroon.”

Lt-Gen. Shuaibu lamented that the report distorted the reality of the situation, failing to highlight the bravery of troops who defended four other communities during coordinated terrorist assaults.

He explained that the attacks came as Boko Haram remnants, previously dislodged from the Sambisa Forest, regrouped and launched coordinated night offensives from multiple directions on vulnerable communities and army bases at Ngoshe, Konduga, Mainok, and Jakana.

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“Our troops responded swiftly and fought gallantly to repel the terrorists and defend the affected communities,” Shuaibu said, adding that over 50 insurgents were neutralized during the engagements. He mourned the loss of a commanding officer and some soldiers, describing them as having paid the supreme price while courageously preventing further devastation of lives and military assets.

The army maintained that troops were not overrun, contrary to the online report. Instead, they engaged insurgents from multiple fronts to protect civilians and restore stability.

Lt-Gen. Shuaibu noted that terrorists employed indiscriminate explosives and heavy gunfire at night, which unfortunately resulted in civilian casualties, as residents were caught in the crossfire at Ngoshe.

Coordinated ground and air operations are ongoing to pursue fleeing terrorists, dismantle regrouping elements, and rescue civilians who may have been abducted during the attacks.

The army chief urged the public to disregard exaggerated and misleading reports that could undermine troop morale, assuring Nigerians that the Nigerian Army will maintain operational momentum until all terrorist elements in the Northeast are completely eliminated.