Troops recapture Ngoshe military base after fierce battle with Boko Haram

Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have successfully recaptured a Forward Operating Base in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area, following a fierce gun battle with suspected fighters of Boko Haram.

The military operation was carried out with support from members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), as well as local vigilantes and hunters who joined troops in the counter-offensive against the insurgents.

Military sources disclosed that troops engaged the terrorists in an intense exchange of gunfire before eventually overpowering them and restoring control of the town.

The development comes just days after suspected Boko Haram fighters launched a deadly attack on the military base in Ngoshe, killing at least 14 soldiers and several civilians. During the raid, the insurgents reportedly abducted more than 100 women and children.

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According to a military source, the General Officer Commanding had earlier visited Pulka on Friday, where he mobilised about 200 troops to move into Ngoshe to assess the security situation in the largely deserted community.

“At least 60 soldiers were left behind in Ngoshe, but they later withdrew to Pulka after observing the movement of a large number of terrorists planning a counter-attack,” the source said.

He explained that the Brigade Commander in Gwoza subsequently met with the troops in Pulka and reassured them that reinforcements and additional operational support would be deployed.

“Today (Wednesday), we were able to recapture Ngoshe after engaging the remaining insurgents in a gun battle,” the source disclosed, adding that the town is now fully under the control of the Nigerian military.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, had earlier convened a meeting of Service Chiefs in Abuja following the recent resurgence of insurgent attacks in parts of Borno State.

Security sources revealed that no fewer than three commanding officers with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel were recently killed during separate terrorist attacks in the state. Apart from the senior officers, several soldiers were also reportedly killed in the renewed wave of violence, while hundreds of abducted civilians remain in captivity.

Speaking before the meeting went into a closed-door session, Gen. Musa said the military leadership had resolved to review existing operational strategies in order to intensify the fight against terrorism.

“We know we have recorded some casualties, but it is more on the side of the terrorists,” the four-star general stated.

The renewed military offensive forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces to stabilise communities across Borno State and dismantle remaining insurgent strongholds in Nigeria’s North-East region.