MAIDUGURI, BORNO – The Nigerian Army has confirmed that its troops neutralised five terrorists during a foiled ambush targeting a high-ranking military officer in the North-East theatre of operations.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 23, 2026, when insurgents laid an ambush for the convoy of a Brigadier General (identity withheld for security reasons) travelling along a notorious stretch in Borno State. According to official military sources, the general’s details and escort moved swiftly to repel the attack.
The Encounter in the North-East
The terrorists, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), reportedly opened fire from concealed positions in an attempt to intercept the military convoy. However, the troops’ rapid response led to a fierce gun duel that lasted several minutes.
“The gallantry of the troops led to the neutralisation of five of the attackers on the spot, while others fled into the thick vegetation with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” a senior military official stated. No casualties were recorded on the side of the Nigerian Army during the encounter.
Recovery of Arms and Ammunition
Following the successful repelling of the ambush, the troops conducted a mop-up operation in the immediate vicinity. The following items were recovered from the scene:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- One Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube
- Several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
- Two communication radios
Security Context and Reinforcements
The failed assassination attempt comes amid intensified military operations in the Lake Chad region. It follows a similar engagement in Kukawa, where troops repelled a major terrorist onslaught over the weekend, though one soldier was unfortunately lost in that battle.
Military authorities have praised the high level of alertness maintained by the convoy’s security detail. Major General Waidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, has directed that clearance operations be scaled up in the axis to flush out remnants of the terror cells.
The “Out of the Woods” Narrative
This security success coincides with President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration that Nigeria is “out of the woods” regarding its major security and economic crises. While the presidency maintains that the tide has turned, the high-profile nature of this ambush highlights the persistent risks faced by security personnel and top officials in the Northeast.
As of Tuesday morning, the Army Headquarters is yet to issue a formal press release identifying the specific unit involved, but sources indicate that the General involved is safe and has since reached his destination.
