Scores of soldiers and civilians have been killed when suspected terrorists invaded military base and Internally Displaced Persons camp in Ngoshe town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Locals and security sources revealed that a large number of armed terrorists who stormed the town after Muslims broke their fast on Wednesday, also kidnapped about 100 women and children.
The military sources said “the militants invaded a military base of 82 Division TF Battalion. They also launched an assault on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in the community.”
The gunmen reportedly overpowered the soldiers and went after those fleeing, ransacking the community and surrounding bushes.
“We cannot state the actual number of soldiers and civilians killed but nine bodies of soldiers had been recovered so far,” a source said, adding that the attackers set fire on armoured tanks and military vehicles and stole unquantifiable ammunition.
Local sources said the gunmen also invaded the Ngoshe community, killed the Chief Imam and abducted more than 100 women and children.
“Residents have fled Ngoshe to the adjoining town, Pulka. The attack is very devastating considering that refugees have begun to return from Cameroon,” a local said.
He said informers might have played a role in the coordinated attack, insisting that “it’s not possible to carry out such an attack without information from within us. The Chief Imam was slaughtered and over 100 women and children abducted.”
Senator Ali Ndume (Borno, APC), confirmed the killing of the soldiers and civilians by the terrorists, and called for a serious military operation in Sambisa Forests and the Mandara Mountains
According to him, the terrorists were not at ease with the government resettlement plan in the area, that was why they set ablaze many houses and businesses in the town.
