Abuja – March 6, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Armed Forces to urgently rescue all victims abducted during a deadly terrorist attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, which occurred on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
In a statement released late Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the assault as a “heartless attack on hapless citizens” and expressed deep sorrow over the killing of several soldiers and local residents, as well as the abduction of more than 100 people—mostly women and children.
President Tinubu urged the military high command and other security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities across the North-East and prevent further attacks on military formations. He commended the troops for their swift response to recent terrorist and bandit incidents nationwide, noting that sustained pressure has forced many insurgents to retreat or abandon previously held territories.
The President also called on the people of Borno State and Nigerians in general to remain steadfast in the face of ongoing threats, assuring them that the government remains fully committed to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace.
“While we mourn the fallen heroes and innocent civilians, we draw strength from their sacrifice and rededicate ourselves to the fight against these evil forces,” the statement read. “I pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and for quick recovery for the injured. I also extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Borno State.”
According to accounts from Senator Ali Ndume (who represents Borno South in the National Assembly) and several community leaders, suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters launched a coordinated assault on Ngoshe early Wednesday morning. The attackers reportedly targeted a military forward operating base and nearby civilian settlements, using improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles.
Residents said the terrorists set fire to several homes, looted properties and abducted scores of villagers—primarily women and children—before withdrawing into nearby Sambisa Forest. Initial estimates placed the number of abductees at over 100, though exact figures remain unconfirmed pending official verification. An unspecified number of soldiers and civilians were killed during the raid, with reports of heavy gunfire and explosions heard across the area for several hours.
The attack is the latest in a resurgence of terrorist activity in southern Borno, particularly around Gwoza, which was once a stronghold of Boko Haram but had seen relative calm in recent years due to sustained military operations.
The Ngoshe incident follows a pattern of renewed boldness by insurgents despite ongoing counter-insurgency efforts by Operation Hadin Kai. In the past six weeks, similar raids have targeted military outposts, IDP camps and remote villages in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa, resulting in dozens of deaths and abductions.
President Tinubu’s directive to rescue the abductees echoes his administration’s repeated pledges to prioritise citizen safety and eliminate terrorist sanctuaries. The Nigerian Air Force and Army have intensified aerial surveillance and ground patrols in the Gwoza axis since Wednesday, with military sources confirming that troops have already launched follow-up operations to track the fleeing attackers and locate the abducted persons.
Defence Headquarters spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, in a separate briefing on Friday, assured that “all necessary assets have been deployed to secure the release of the victims and neutralise the perpetrators.” He declined to provide specific operational details but said the military remains committed to protecting lives and property in the North-East.
Senator Ndume, who first raised the alarm about the attack, described it as “yet another heartbreaking chapter in our long struggle against terrorism” and urged the federal government to deploy additional troops and resources to Gwoza and surrounding communities.
Civil society groups, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Borno Youth Development Initiative, have called for improved early-warning systems, better community-military cooperation, and sustained humanitarian support for displaced persons who remain vulnerable to such raids.
The attack has reignited public debate over the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies, with some analysts arguing that the military’s focus on conventional operations must be complemented by stronger intelligence gathering, deradicalisation programmes and socio-economic interventions in affected areas.
As rescue operations continue and security forces comb the region for the missing victims, President Tinubu’s directive underscores the administration’s determination to respond decisively to the latest escalation in the decade-long insurgency.
The State House reiterated its solidarity with the people of Borno and assured that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future attacks.
