Boko Haram Claims Responsibility for Assault on Soldiers, Aims to Establish Caliphate in Borno

Boko Haram militants have claimed responsibility for the assault on a military base located in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, announcing their plan to host Eid-el-fitr prayers at the central mosque, which they have since occupied.

According to previous reports by Daily Trust, the insurgents stormed the town on Wednesday night after Muslims had concluded their fast, resulting in the deaths of both soldiers and civilians, and leading to the abduction of hundreds of local residents.

Sources indicate that among the fatalities were the chief imam and several community elders, while a significant number of homes and military equipment were set ablaze.

A video circulating online, which was reviewed by Daily Trust on Friday, featured a group of five young men who identified themselves as members of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, under the direction of Imam Ubu Umaima, taking credit for the attack.

The group’s spokesperson, who addressed the audience in Hausa, disclosed that soldiers had been beheaded during the incident and expressed their determination to rename the town to Daular Islam (Caliphate).

“In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficial and Most Merciful, we thank God Almighty for aiding us in our mission in Ngoshe. As you can see today, 16/9/1447 (Thursday, March 6, 2026), we are inside the central mosque in Ngoshe.

“Residents of this town claimed that we could not conquer Ngoshe. By the grace of God, we have already taken control of the town, and we intend to remain here, transforming it into a caliphate. After Ramadan, we will conduct the Eid-el-Fitr prayer here in Ngoshe,

“We have slaughtered them and taken their women and children as captives, now our rightful property according to God's decree.

“We have seized Ngoshe and will continue our efforts. We are prepared to sacrifice our lives for this cause. This marks our third day in the town, and we will expand our campaign to reclaim regions, from here to Maiduguri, extending all the way to Abuja,” he stated.