Senator Ali Ndume has called for urgent military action following a deadly raid by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, confirmed that soldiers and civilians were killed in the attack and described the incident as deeply troubling.
He urged the military to intensify operations in the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, which are believed to be strongholds of the insurgents.
The senator suggested that the attack may be linked to the government’s ongoing efforts to resettle displaced communities in parts of the state previously affected by insurgency.
According to him, the insurgents may be uncomfortable with the resettlement programme, which has encouraged displaced residents to return home.
Local residents and security sources said the attack occurred on Wednesday evening shortly after Muslims broke their Ramadan fast, when a large number of armed fighters stormed the town.
The insurgents reportedly launched a coordinated assault on a military facility operated by the 82 Division Task Force Battalion and also targeted an IDP camp in the community.
A security source said the attackers overpowered the troops and pursued residents who attempted to flee.
“The militants invaded the military base and attacked the IDP camp. They overpowered the soldiers and chased people who were trying to escape,” the source said.
Although the exact casualty figure remains unclear, at least nine soldiers have been confirmed dead.
“We cannot yet determine the number of soldiers and civilians killed, but nine bodies of soldiers have been recovered so far,” the source added.
According to a report by Daily Trust newspaper, the attackers also destroyed armoured tanks and military vehicles before escaping with a large quantity of ammunition.
Residents said the insurgents later entered the town, killed the community’s Chief Imam and abducted more than 100 women and children.
A local resident described the attack as devastating, noting that many people had only recently returned from neighbouring Cameroon after years of displacement.
“Residents have now fled from Ngoshe to the nearby town of Pulka. It is painful because refugees had just begun returning to rebuild their lives,” the source said.
The resident also suggested that informants within the community may have aided the attackers in carrying out the assault.
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