Boko Haram terrorists ambushed a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) patrol on the Warave-Gwoza Road in Borno State Tuesday, killing 50-year-old Bello Adamu.
The terrorists struck at about 7:30 a.m. as CJTF members and local hunters conducted a routine security patrol in Gwoza Local Government Area.
They opened fire without warning, sparking a brief but fierce exchange.
Adamu, a CJTF operative from Warave, sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the assault.
Rescuers rushed the wounded vigilante to the General Hospital in Gwoza.
Doctors there confirmed he died on arrival.
Hospital staff later released his remains to his family, who performed an immediate burial according to Islamic rites.
Following the attack, troops from Operation HADIN KAI deployed swiftly to the scene.
They secured the axis and intensified patrols and surveillance along the entire Warave-Gwoza corridor.
Security forces now hunt the perpetrators to prevent further strikes.
This latest ambush underscores the relentless threat Boko Haram terrorists pose in northeastern Nigeria.
The CJTF, a community volunteer network formed in 2009, continues to support the military in the fight against the insurgents.
Despite sustained operations under Operation HADIN KAI, the terrorists maintain the ability to launch hit-and-run attacks on soft targets.
Security sources familiar with the incident described the patrol as standard vigilance work in a volatile zone.
No other casualties occurred, but the loss of Adamu—a seasoned 50-year-old local defender—deals a painful blow to morale in Warave and surrounding communities.
Military authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the ambush as investigations continue.
Residents along the road now call for even stronger joint operations to reclaim full control of the corridor.
The incident comes amid broader efforts to stabilise Borno, where Boko Haram terrorists still exploit remote terrain for sporadic violence.
However, the rapid military response signals authorities’ determination to deny the terrorists any breathing space.
