An armed group has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where dozens of soldiers and civilians were reportedly killed and more than 300 residents abducted.
The attack occurred on Wednesday night as heavily armed militants reportedly invaded the town, setting fire to a military facility and opening gunfire across the community while destroying homes and businesses.
Footage that emerged after the incident showed several armed individuals claiming responsibility for the operation. Speaking in Hausa in the video, a representative of the group said the attackers had taken control of the town and intended to remain there. The speaker claimed the group had entered the central mosque in Ngoshe and declared that the community had been conquered.
The group further stated that it planned to stay in the area and observe the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr prayers in the town after the end of Ramadan. The individual in the video also claimed that a large number of residents were captured during the assault.
During the message, the spokesman alleged that several residents were killed while others were taken away. The group also issued threats suggesting that future attacks could extend to other cities, including Maiduguri and Abuja. Additional video clips released by the militants reportedly showed scenes from the attack.
Residents who escaped the violence said the attackers operated in the community for several hours before security forces responded. Troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly deployed air support, forcing the militants to withdraw into nearby forest areas.
Witnesses said many residents fled in panic as the assault intensified, leaving behind homes and belongings while seeking safety in surrounding communities. Some elderly individuals and bodies of victims were reportedly left in the town during the evacuation.
Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, confirmed that the attack took place but said the exact number of casualties had not yet been determined.
He stated that several civilians were affected during the incident, while others remain unaccounted for and may have been taken toward the Mandara Mountains. Authorities said investigations and search efforts are ongoing to determine the full impact of the attack.
