Manoah Kikekon
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| Nigeria Air Force fighter jet |
MAIDUGURI — In a display of overwhelming aerial superiority, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has neutralized over 50 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Borno State. The decisive strike followed a botched attempt by the insurgents to overrun military positions in the Ngoshe community of Gwoza Local Government Area.
The encounter, which occurred late on March 3, 2026, underscored the increasing synergy between ground intelligence and aerial response in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
According to military sources the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on artillery positions in Ngoshe at approximately 7:30 p.m. Ngoshe, a strategic location situated about 31 kilometers from Gwoza town, has long been a flashpoint due to its proximity to cross-border forest enclaves.
Ground troops reportedly engaged the insurgents in a fierce firefight. To preserve personnel and equipment under intense evening fire, the troops executed a tactical withdrawal while simultaneously mobilizing reinforcements and relaying real-time intelligence to the Air Component.
The insurgents, attempting to utilize their signature "hit-and-run" tactic, began a retreat into the forested terrain as reinforcements arrived. However, they were intercepted by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) surveillance platforms that had been scrambled to track their "egress routes."
The fleeing terrorists were sighted moving in large clusters along the Ngoshe–Pulka corridor. Two separate strike runs were conducted:
Strike One: Targeted the primary movement trail of the fleeing unit.
Strike Two: Focused on a secondary cluster attempting to find cover in a nearby thicket.
Battle Damage Assessments (BDA) confirmed that at least 50 terrorists were eliminated in the precision bombardment, with several of their logistics vehicles and mobility assets destroyed.
The military highlighted that these strikes did more than just reduce enemy numbers; they significantly disrupted the logistics and mobility capabilities of the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP operating in the Gwoza axis.
"The message is clear: any attempt to attack our positions will attract overwhelming and coordinated firepower," a military official stated, emphasizing that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in sustaining offensive pressure.
Following the air strikes, clearance and area domination operations are currently ongoing to ensure that no regrouping attempts are made. The Ngoshe–Gwoza axis is historically volatile, with terrorists often exploiting the difficult terrain to launch sporadic attacks on resettled communities.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Nigerian Army have assured residents of Gwoza and surrounding areas of their continued protection. The military remains committed to supporting resettlement efforts and consolidating the gains recorded in the North East theater of operations.