Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has confirmed a devastating attack on the Ngoshe community in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, resulting in significant loss of life among civilians and security personnel.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has left the community in mourning and triggered a mass exodus of residents. According to Sen. Ndume, the casualties include the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, several community elders, and an undisclosed number of soldiers who were killed while attempting to repel the assault.
In a grim update on the aftermath, the Senator disclosed that over 100 people remain missing, while thousands of residents, predominantly women and children, have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighboring communities to escape further violence.
“The situation is dire,” Sen. Ndume stated, expressing his concern over the escalating security challenges in the region. He emphasized that the scale of the displacement and the audacity of the attack highlight the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups operating in the area.
Describing the incident as a major setback for local security, the Senator called for an immediate and decisive response from the federal government. He specifically urged the military to launch a large-scale, sustained offensive within the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, which he identified as critical strongholds for the terrorist groups responsible for the ongoing unrest.
As of Friday, security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the full death toll or the current status of the missing persons. However, local sources indicate that military reinforcements have been deployed to the area to secure the vicinity and assist in search and rescue operations.
The attack in Ngoshe underscores the continued volatility in Borno State, where insurgent activities continue to disrupt rural livelihoods and threaten the safety of residents in remote communities.