By Ayo Kehinde
Thousands of civilians have been displaced and an unspecified number of people, including soldiers and community leaders, killed following a deadly attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Ngoshe, a resettled community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Southern Borno.
Borno South Senator Ali Ndume, confirmed the attack in an interview with newsmen on Thursday, describing it as a serious security breach that claimed the lives of the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, several elders, and soldiers.
Over 100 people remain missing or were abducted during the assault, while thousands of women and children have taken refuge in Pulka Community, he added.
“The military base was dislodged, and major equipment, including residential houses and property worth millions of naira, was set ablaze,” Ndume said.
He added that many fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East’s Operation HADIN KAI, though details of the incident are still sketchy.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening shortly after residents broke their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, overwhelmed local military formations, with terrorists employing superior firepower, including Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, and drones.
Senator Ndume called for intensified military operations in the Sambisa Forests and the Mandara Mountains, urging President Bola Tinubu to equip security agencies with fighter jets, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and modern technological weapons to end the insurgents’ activities in the North East.
He commended the efforts of the Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, and security forces for their sacrifices in combating terrorism, which facilitated the resettlement of millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to liberated communities in the region.
Meanwhile, a humanitarian appeal has been launched for the displaced victims by the Gwoza Youth Forum.
Committee Chairman Mal. Idrissa Hamman and Secretary Engr. Aliyu Shehu called on the public to urgently donate clothes, blankets, food items, and other essential household supplies to support the affected families.
“Many of our brothers and sisters are living under extremely difficult conditions and lack basic necessities. Your generosity and solidarity during this critical period will go a long way in restoring hope and dignity to the displaced members of our community,” the appeal read.
