More than 300 residents abducted during a recent attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area are reportedly being held in captivity and subjected to slavery by terrorists.
The victims were taken during a violent assault on March 4 by fighters linked to Boko Haram. The group, formally known as Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, later claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to enslave those abducted.
During the raid, suspected insurgents reportedly attacked a military base in Ngoshe, forcing soldiers to withdraw before unleashing violence on the community.
The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident and said many residents were still missing.
He explained that several civilians were killed during the attack while others were unaccounted for.
“An unknown number of civilians are yet to be ascertained. Some were killed while others are still missing, and some were likely abducted and taken towards the Mandara Mountains,” he said.
Terrorists claim responsibility
In a one-minute, thirty-second video circulated after the attack, the leader of the terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault and said the abducted residents would be turned into slaves.
According to him, the group had taken control of the community and killed several residents during the operation.
He also declared that the militants planned to take over the town permanently and integrate it into their territory.
The insurgent leader further said the group intended to remain in Ngoshe and conduct the Eid-el-Fitr prayers there after the end of Ramadan.
Over 300 residents abducted
While authorities are still verifying the exact number of victims, the District Secretary of Ngoshe, Shuaibu Dabawa, said the number of people abducted could exceed 300.
He explained that residents fled into nearby bushes after hearing gunshots during the attack.
“When they attacked, we heard sporadic gunfire and ran into the bush for safety where we spent the night. More than 300 people were abducted by the terrorists,” he said.
The Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security in Borno State, said the government was still verifying the actual number of victims.
He added that displaced residents had received emergency support from the state government through the Borno State Emergency Management Agency.
According to him, relief materials including rice, sugar, millet and blankets have been distributed to affected households.
Tar also said health and sanitation officials had been deployed to the area to prevent possible disease outbreaks among displaced residents.
Ndume calls for stronger action
Meanwhile, the senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to regularly brief Nigerians on efforts to tackle insurgency and banditry.
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Ndume, who is from the affected area, urged the federal government to intensify coordinated military operations against insurgents operating in the North-East.
He stressed the need for sustained clearance operations in major insurgent strongholds such as the Sambisa Forest, the Lake Chad area and the Mandara Mountains.
According to him, the Ngoshe attack was likely carried out by insurgents from the Mandara Mountains with support from fighters operating around Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad.
The senator also proposed the creation of a presidential security situation room that would allow the president to monitor developments and provide regular updates to Nigerians.
He further suggested the deployment of additional air component centres and attack helicopters across northern Nigeria to strengthen military operations against insurgents.
