Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters kidnapped more than 100 women and children in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.
The attackers also killed some soldiers, the town’s chief imam, and several community elders. The assault happened shortly after Muslims broke their fast on Wednesday.
According to local and security sources, the militants first struck a military base of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion before moving into the town and an IDP camp.
A security source explained that the insurgents overpowered the soldiers because of their large numbers and then went into the community, carrying out the mass kidnappings.
“The militants invaded a military base of 82 Division of TF Battalion. They also launched an assault on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in the community,” one source said.
He added that the attackers chased the fleeing soldiers, ransacked the town, and searched the nearby bushes.
“We cannot ascertain the actual number of soldiers and civilians killed but nine bodies of soldiers have been recovered so far,” the source said.
The source also said the insurgents burnt armoured tanks and military vehicles and stole an unknown quantity of ammunition.
“Residents have fled Ngoshe town to the neighbouring Pulka. The attack is very devastating, especially as refugees had just started returning from Cameroon,” another source said.
He suggested that insiders might have helped in planning the attack, saying, “It’s not possible to carry out such an attack without information from within us.”
“The chief imam and some elders were slaughtered by the terrorists, and over 100 women and children were abducted or are missing,” he added.
