TERRORISTS BURN MILITARY BASE IN BORNO, CIVILIANS FEARED DEAD
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Suspected Boko Haram militants reportedly killed an unknown number of civilians and abducted several women in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, during an attack on a military outpost.
According to reports, the attackers struck the military base at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday before targeting civilians in the community.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants operated for several hours, using motorcycles and gun trucks to carry out the attack.
Confirming the attack to PUNCH Online in an exclusive interview on Thursday, Borno State Police Command spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso said numerous residents are still unaccounted for.
He added that preliminary reports suggest many survivors of the attack were also taken captive.
He said: “A suspected terrorist group attacked a military base in Gwoza at around 1 a.m. on the 4th, but the military were able to repel them.
“An unknown number of civilians were also affected, with some killed. Several residents remain missing, and it is possible that some were abducted and taken toward the Mandara Mountains.”
He, however, dismissed reports that a chief Imam in the community was killed, noting that investigations are still ongoing.
“As of now, we have not confirmed the total number of people taken, so if the Chief Imam is currently missing, we will verify and provide an update,” Daso said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed that the community is currently calm, adding that the military has taken control of the area.
“As of now, the community is calm. I am aware that the military has taken charge,” he said.
Attempts to reach the Spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, were unsuccessful, as calls to him went unanswered.
Meanwhile, residents told The Media that nine soldiers were killed during the attack and that many civilians have fled the area.
One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the insurgents overpowered the troops before launching assaults on civilians.
A source said, “They attacked the base in large numbers, which allowed them to overpower the soldiers and easily infiltrate the community, abducting many women.
“Many residents fled to Pulka town to seek refuge for fear of another attack,” the source added.
Residents also reported that the insurgents set fire to large parts of Ngoshe as they retreated.
“When they entered Ngoshe, they first targeted the military base, killing nine soldiers, and then went on to kill and abduct mainly women,” another source said.
They called for urgent security measures to prevent further attacks.
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