COAS Denies Report of 40 Soldiers Killed in Ngoshe Boko Haram Attack

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, has dismissed reports claiming that an officer and 39 soldiers were killed during Boko Haram attacks on Ngoshe in Borno State.

Shuaibu made the clarification on Saturday during a one-day operational visit to Maiduguri, where he assessed the damage to personnel, vehicles, and military equipment at the Maimalari Cantonment.

Reacting to reports circulating online, the army chief described the claim that 40 soldiers died in the Ngoshe attack as false. According to him, the report was based on unverified information allegedly sourced from other security agencies in the state.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with commanders at the Theatre Command and Control Centre, Shuaibu explained that only a few soldiers, including a Commanding Officer, lost their lives while defending the border community near Cameroon.

He criticised the report for presenting what he called a distorted account of the incident and failing to acknowledge the bravery of troops who successfully defended several communities against coordinated terrorist attacks last week.

The COAS explained that remnants of Boko Haram fighters, believed to have been dislodged from the Sambisa Forest, launched coordinated night attacks on Ngoshe, Konduga, Mainok and Jakana.

According to him, Nigerian troops responded swiftly and engaged the insurgents in fierce battles, repelling the attacks and protecting residents of the affected communities.

Shuaibu said more than 50 terrorists were neutralised during the operations.

He acknowledged the loss of some soldiers but emphasised that their sacrifice helped prevent greater destruction and loss of lives.

The army chief also refuted claims that troops were overrun, stating that soldiers fought from multiple fronts to defend civilians and restore normalcy in the area.

He added that the terrorists used explosives and heavy gunfire during the attacks, which unfortunately led to civilian casualties as some residents were caught in the crossfire.

During the visit, Shuaibu met with troops and commanders in the theatre of operations to review the security situation and strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism strategies. He also ordered the deployment of additional troops and equipment to intensify operations against fleeing insurgents.

He assured that the Nigerian Army remains committed to eliminating terrorist threats and protecting communities, noting that coordinated ground and air operations are ongoing to track down insurgents and rescue abducted civilians.

The public was also urged to disregard what he described as exaggerated reports capable of undermining the morale of troops engaged in defending the country.