By Evelyn Usman
For the Nigerian Army, March 2026 was a test of courage and resilience. One moment, troops celebrated Eid-el-Fitr with residents of Ngoshe, Borno State, after securing a Forward Operating Base. The next, they retrieved fallen comrades from Goniri, Yobe State, and Malam Fatori, Borno State, standing firm against relentless attacks.
Nigeria’s war against terror has moved beyond bullets and bombs. It now spans fighter jets over Maiduguri, intelligence partnerships in Cairo, Egypt; training exchanges in Pretoria, South Africa; royal collaboration in Benue; and the quiet bravery of soldiers ensuring millions sleep in peace.
This is the story of a month that redefined the rules of engagement.
NGOSHE: RETURN OF LIFE
For years, Ngoshe was a ghost town, emptied by Boko Haram violence.
But this recent Eid-el-Fitr, life returned. Streets once deserted came alive. Children laughed. Worshippers gathered freely.
At the centre of it all were troops of Operation HADIN KAI, who joined residents at the Central Mosque and walked openly through the community.
Days earlier, insurgents had threatened to overrun Ngoshe and impose their presence. But the military responded with precision, reinforcing positions and repelling an attempted incursion on March 4.
“The era of fear is over. We are not passing through. We are staying,” Brigadier General NI Abdullahi, Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, declared.
Prayers were offered for victims of insurgency, while residents expressed gratitude and called for sustained support and reconstruction.
MARCH OF FIRE
If Ngoshe symbolised hope, the wider North-East told a story of fierce confrontation.
Between March 9 and 28, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified operations across key flashpoints.
In Goniri, Yobe State, ISWAP fighters launched a coordinated night attack, advancing from multiple directions in a bid to overwhelm troops. Backed by surveillance and air support, soldiers held their ground.
By morning, over 20 terrorists lay dead, including a senior commander, Abu Yusu. Weapons recovered included machine guns, AK-47 rifles, IEDs, and explosives.
Days later, in Malam Fatori, Borno State, another attempted assault was repelled, with over 80 insurgents neutralised.
On March 28, troops again foiled an attack on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing at least 38 fighters.
In total, no fewer than 145 terrorists were neutralised within the month.
“Over 1,000 insurgents and their families surrendered, signalling the weakening of terrorist propaganda. The battlefield momentum was clear,” a senior military officer who would not want his name in print said.
VICTORY AT A COST
But every gain came with sacrifice. Several soldiers sustained injuries. Others paid the supreme price.
Their stories are carried quietly, in barracks in Makurdi, in the trenches of Doma, and in homes where families now live with absence. Yet the resolve remains unbroken.
AFRICA AS FORCE MULTIPLIER
Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is no longer confined within its borders.
On Tuesday, March 10, high-level military engagements emphasised a growing continental approach.
The South African Army Chief, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, visited Abuja, followed by Egyptian Defence Attaché, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, two days after.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was clear in his position as he said: “Nigeria cannot fight this war alone. Africa must build its own capacity.”
During the engagement with the South African Army, Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that closer collaboration among African militaries remained critical to addressing emerging and complex security threats confronting the continent. He particularly highlighted the importance of shared training and operational knowledge in countering terrorism and insurgency, especially in Nigeria’s North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Chief of Army Staff noted that the Nigerian Army has continued to develop robust training frameworks aimed at equipping troops with the necessary skills to combat modern threats, such as the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups and the employment of air assets. He explained that the Nigerian Army has placed significant emphasis on specialised training in IED detection, counter-IED operations, and battlefield survivability as part of its counter-terrorism offensive operations. According to him, enhanced cooperation with the South African Army would further strengthen these training programmes and contribute to building a more capable regional security architecture.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further stated that both armies were expanding collaboration in professional military education and capacity development. Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while officers from the South African Army serve as Directing Staff and instructors in key Nigerian military institutions such as the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. These exchanges, he noted, are designed to strengthen institutional ties while enhancing operational knowledge and strategic leadership development.
On his part, Lieutenant General Mbatha stated that his visit provided an opportunity for the South African Army to study Nigeria’s operational experiences in tackling terrorism and other asymmetric threats. He acknowledged the extensive battlefield experience of the Nigerian Army and expressed keen interest in learning how Nigeria has structured its training and operational strategies to effectively confront evolving security challenges, particularly in countering the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.
Both leaders also explored opportunities for expanding technical cooperation in specialised areas, including aviation. The South African Army Chief noted that the South African military possesses significant technical expertise in aviation maintenance and pilot training, adding that stronger collaboration in this domain could assist the Nigerian Army in further developing its aviation capabilities.
From South Africa, Nigeria is strengthening counter-IED capabilities, aviation maintenance, and battlefield survivability. From Egypt, advanced training and intelligence cooperation continue under a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding.
The next Military Committee Meeting will hold in Cairo, while both nations deepen operational ties.
This was considered strategy beyond the battlefield , building strength for the long war ahead.
ROYAL SCEPTRE AND THE RIFLE
On March 4, the COAS took the message to the grassroots, visiting the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, in Benue State.
Lt Gen Shaibu emphasised that beyond kinetic operations, the support of traditional institutions remains pivotal to achieving sustainable peace. He called on the Tor Tiv, and the Och’Idoma, Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo, and other traditional rulers across the state to lend their moral authority and grassroots influence toward mobilising communities against criminality. According to him, traditional leaders play a critical role in shaping public perception, promoting peaceful messaging, and discouraging any form of collaboration with criminal elements.
The Army Chief stated: “Security is a shared responsibility. While the Armed Forces will continue to apply decisive force against enemies of the state, enduring stability can only be achieved when communities reject violence, refuse to shield criminals and actively support lawful authority.”
To reinforce ongoing clearance and stabilisation efforts, the COAS announced an increase in troop density along vulnerable corridors, particularly the Benue–Taraba axis, including the deployment of an additional battalion. He added that logistics support, surveillance assets and rapid response capabilities have been significantly enhanced to strengthen operational dominance and protect farming communities.
The Army Chief further stressed that intelligence-driven operations, early warning mechanisms and sustained community engagement are indispensable to preventing reprisals and curbing the cycle of violence. As the nation approaches the general elections, he assured citizens that proactive measures are being implemented to deter criminal actors and guarantee a secure environment for the exercise of civic rights.
The mission was to build trust where bullets alone cannot win peace.
TIP OF THE SPEAR
At the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, the tone was direct and decisive, as the COAS declared: “The era of reactive engagements is over.”
The COAS charged troops to adopt precision-driven, intelligence-led operations. New facilities were approved to boost training and welfare.
The philosophy is simple: a well-prepared soldier is a decisive advantage.
Even within the cantonment, symbolism mattered, as trees were planted as a reminder of sustainability and growth amid conflict.
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