A deadly Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Ngoshe community of Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, has left civilians, soldiers and insurgents dead, while more than 100 residents remain missing or abducted, according to Senator Ali Ndume.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, confirmed the development during a recent interview in Maiduguri. He said the assault occurred on Tuesday evening when suspected insurgents stormed the community.
The senator revealed that thousands of residents, mostly women and children, fled the attack and are now taking refuge in Pulka community.
According to Ndume, the attackers overran the military formation stationed in Ngoshe.
He said the base was dislodged, with some major equipment destroyed during the assault.
“The military base in the community was dislodged, with some major equipment destroyed. Residential houses and property worth millions of naira were also set ablaze,” he said.
The lawmaker also disclosed that the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, community elders and soldiers were among those killed in the attack.
Despite the devastation, Ndume said the air component of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised several fleeing terrorists after the assault.
Security sources indicated that the insurgents launched the attack shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan, reportedly overwhelming the military formation with superior firepower.
The senator urged the federal government to intensify counter-insurgency operations, especially in Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, where insurgents are believed to be operating.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to provide the military with more fighter jets and modern military equipment to tackle persistent terrorist attacks in the North-East.
Ndume further expressed concern about what he described as inadequate equipment for troops, alleging that soldiers lack sufficient Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other advanced weapons.
Ngoshe is among the communities recently resettled around the Mandara Mountains after years of displacement caused by insurgency in the region.
Ndume, however, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Borno State government led by Governor Babagana Zulum for their continued efforts in the fight against insurgency.
He noted that the government’s initiatives had helped return many internally displaced persons (IDPs) to previously liberated communities.
Meanwhile, community leaders have appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance for displaced residents now sheltering in Pulka.
In a joint appeal shared on social media, Malam Idrissa Hamman and Engineer Aliyu Shehu, who are coordinating relief under the Gwoza Youth Forum, called for donations of food, clothing, blankets and other essential items.
They said the support would help families affected by the latest attack rebuild their lives.
