Unidentified Terrorist Group Claims Responsibility for Borno Massacre and Abduction of 300 Residents
An unidentified armed group has claimed responsibility for a devastating attack on Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The assault resulted in the reported deaths of dozens of soldiers and civilians, with more than 300 residents abducted during the violent incursion.
Details of the Attack and Group's Declaration
According to detailed reports, the attackers stormed the town on Wednesday night, setting fire to a military base and opening indiscriminate gunfire across the community. Houses and shops were also set ablaze, creating a scene of chaos and destruction. In a video obtained after the attack, five armed men appeared, claiming responsibility for the assault and declaring their intention to seize control of the town.
Speaking in Hausa on behalf of the group, one of the men outlined their plans to remain in the area and mark the upcoming Eid al Fitr at the central mosque in Ngoshe. He stated, "In the name of Allah, the most merciful and most beneficial. We thank God Almighty for helping us to succeed in our mission in Ngoshe. Today we are inside the central mosque in Ngoshe." The speaker further emphasized, "People in this town are saying that we cannot conquer Ngoshe. With the help of God, we have already conquered the town."
Group's Intentions and Threats
The armed man added that the group intended to remain in the community, stating, "By the grace of God, we are going to stay in Ngoshe and make it part of our province and we are going to do the Eid-el-Fitr Salah after the end of Ramadan in Ngoshe." He also claimed that several residents had been abducted during the attack, saying, "We have slaughtered males and females in Ngoshe and we have enslaved the others. It was Almighty Allah that said that we should enslave them and go with them."
The group further issued threats to extend its attacks to other cities, including Maiduguri and Abuja. Additional footage released by the attackers allegedly showed scenes from the assault, providing visual evidence of the violence and destruction inflicted upon the community.
Response and Aftermath
Residents who fled the community reported that the attackers operated for several hours before troops under Operation Hadin Kai deployed air support, forcing the militants to retreat into nearby forests. Survivors described a scene of panic, with many elderly residents and bodies of victims left behind as people fled the town, abandoning their belongings while escaping to nearby communities.
Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, confirmed that the attack occurred and noted that the full number of casualties had not yet been determined. He stated, "Although some unknown number of civilians yet to be ascertained were also affected or killed. Some are still missing and probably some were abducted and taken towards the Mandara Mountains."
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Borno State and raises concerns about the capabilities and intentions of this unidentified terrorist group. Authorities continue to investigate the attack and assess the situation to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further violence in the region.
