By Our Correspondent
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has been killed following an ambush by suspected Boko Haram fighters along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.
The attack reportedly occurred on the morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2026, as vigilantes and local hunters were conducting a routine patrol in the area. According to local sources, the insurgents opened fire on the patrol team, triggering a brief but intense exchange.
One CJTF member, identified as Bello Adamu, aged about 50, sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Gwoza for medical treatment but was later confirmed dead. Other members of the patrol team were said to have escaped without fatal injuries.
The Civilian Joint Task Force, a volunteer security network formed at the height of the insurgency in Borno, has played a critical role in supporting the Nigerian military with intelligence gathering, community surveillance, and counter-insurgency operations. However, its members frequently face reprisals from insurgent groups operating in the region.
Gwoza remains one of the areas most affected by insurgent violence in Borno State, having witnessed repeated attacks over the years due to its strategic location near the Mandara Mountains and the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
Security analysts say the latest ambush underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the North-East, despite ongoing military offensives aimed at restoring lasting peace to the region. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report.
