Suspected fighters of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have reportedly abducted more than 100 women and children during a deadly attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the escalating insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
The attackers also killed several soldiers, the chief imam of the town and a number of community elders during the raid, which occurred shortly after Muslims broke their fast on Wednesday during Ramadan, according to a report by Daily Trust.
In a related incident, terrorists were also reported to have set fire to St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Wukari on March 4. Witnesses said flames engulfed parts of the cathedral’s roof and windows during the night while residents watched helplessly. The parish priest, Fr. James Oliver, was said to have managed to rescue the Blessed Sacrament before the fire spread.
Meanwhile, residents and security sources said the assault in Borno began with an attack on a military base belonging to the 82 Division Task Force Battalion stationed in the area.
A security source disclosed that the insurgents overwhelmed the troops due to their large numbers before advancing into the community and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp where many residents had taken shelter.
“The militants first attacked the military base and engaged the soldiers in a fierce battle. Because of their numbers, they managed to overpower the troops before advancing into the community,” the source said.
After forcing the soldiers to retreat, the gunmen reportedly pursued them toward surrounding areas before moving into the town, where they began raiding homes and abducting women and children.
Although the total number of casualties has not been officially confirmed, security sources said at least nine soldiers were killed in the clash.
The insurgents also destroyed military assets during the raid, setting armoured vehicles and operational equipment ablaze before fleeing with a large cache of ammunition.
Residents described scenes of panic and confusion as families fled the community to escape the violence.
Many survivors have since taken refuge in the nearby town of Pulka, where displaced residents are currently seeking shelter.
One resident said the attack has dealt a severe blow to the community, particularly as some families had only recently returned to Ngoshe after years of displacement in neighbouring Cameroon.
“This is a huge setback for us. Some people had just started rebuilding their lives after returning from Cameroon, but now they have been forced to flee again,” the resident said.
Community members also suggested that the attackers may have received assistance from local informants who provided information that enabled them to target both the military installation and civilian areas.
“The attack appeared carefully coordinated. It would have been difficult for them to carry it out without information from within the community,” another source said.
Residents confirmed that the chief imam of Ngoshe and several community elders were killed during the assault, while dozens of women and children were taken away by the terrorists.
Military launches counterattack
Following the attack, the Nigerian military reportedly launched a retaliatory operation against the fleeing insurgents.
Security sources said fighter jets from the Nigerian Air Force tracked the militants as they attempted to escape along known routes.
According to the sources, the insurgents had attacked troop positions at about 7:30 pm before retreating.
Surveillance aircraft later located their movements and carried out precision airstrikes that killed more than 50 of the militants.
Military officials said the strikes disrupted the terrorists’ escape and inflicted significant casualties on the group.
Security analysts have linked the renewed attacks on military facilities to intensified operations targeting insurgent hideouts in Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad basin.
Survivors recount trauma
Residents who fled the attack said many families remain separated as they search for missing relatives.
A survivor, Malam Umar, described emotional scenes among displaced residents in Pulka as families struggled to locate loved ones.
“You see mothers crying while searching for their children and children looking for their parents. Many families were separated during the attack,” he said.
“The pain of losing homes and loved ones at the same time is very difficult to bear.”
Ndume calls for stronger military action
Reacting to the attack, Senator Ali Ndume condemned the violence and called for intensified military operations against insurgents in the region.
He confirmed that soldiers, the chief imam and several community elders were among those killed in the raid.
Ndume also disclosed that the military base in Ngoshe was dislodged during the attack, with equipment destroyed and houses worth millions of naira burnt.
According to him, senior military officials, including the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army 7 Division, Brigadier-General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, have visited the area to restore order.
He added that authorities are working with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency and the Gwoza Local Government Council to provide relief materials to displaced residents now sheltering in Pulka.
However, Ndume noted that the absence of permanently stationed attack helicopters and fighter jets in the northeast remains a major operational challenge for troops battling insurgents.
Appeal for urgent assistance
Meanwhile, youth groups in Gwoza have appealed for urgent humanitarian support for victims displaced by the attack.
They said many families currently taking refuge in Pulka lack food, clothing, bedding and other essential household items.
The groups urged government agencies, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to provide assistance to help the affected residents rebuild their lives after the devastating assault.
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