MAIDUGURI — An unidentified armed group has claimed responsibility for a devastating attack on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where scores of people were killed and over 300 residents were reportedly abducted.
The assault, which occurred late Wednesday night, began with a coordinated strike on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp shortly after residents broke their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
Mass Abductions and Fatalities
According to local sources and survivors who fled to the nearby Pulka community, the attackers arrived in large numbers and overwhelmed the military formation. Among those confirmed dead are the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, several community elders, and at least nine soldiers.
“More than 300 persons were abducted by the attackers,” Shuibu Dabawa, the Ngoshe District Secretary, told the Nigerian Tribune after spending the night in the bush for safety. He noted that elderly residents and persons living with disabilities remain trapped in the town as there is currently no military presence to facilitate their evacuation or the burial of the deceased.
Humanitarian Crisis in Pulka
The raid has triggered a significant humanitarian emergency, forcing thousands of survivors to seek refuge in Pulka, where many are reportedly sleeping in open spaces and school buildings without food or water. The Gwoza Youth Forum has issued an urgent appeal for donations of clothing, blankets, and essential household items to support the displaced families.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, confirmed the incident and called for a renewed military offensive in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains to flush out the insurgents. While initial reports linked the attack to Boko Haram or ISWAP, a specific unidentified group has now come forward to claim the act.
Military Response
In response to the withdrawal of ground troops under intense fire, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai launched precision strikes on the fleeing insurgents. Military sources report that over 50 terrorists were neutralised during these aerial bombardments.
As of Friday, security agencies have not officially confirmed the identity of the group claiming responsibility or provided a final tally of the missing residents.
