ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Ali Ndume has confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and insurgents following a fresh invasion of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters.
The attack, which occurred last Tuesday evening, also left more than 100 persons missing or abducted, while thousands of residents mostly women and children, have fled to Pulka community for safety.
Ngoshe, one of the newly resettled communities around the Mandara Mountains in Southern Borno, came under heavy assault shortly after residents broke their Ramadan fast, according to security sources.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, strongly condemned the attack and called for intensified military operations in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains to halt renewed terrorist activities in the region.
“I can confirm to you the killing of unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and terrorists when armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP invaded one of my communities, Ngoshe,” the lawmaker said.
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He commiserated with families of those killed and wished the injured speedy recovery, noting that details of the incident were still sketchy.
According to him, many fleeing insurgents were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East, codenamed Operation HADIN KAI.
However, he lamented that the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, some elders and security personnel were among those killed during the attack.
He further disclosed that the military base in the community was dislodged, with major equipment destroyed and houses set ablaze.
Security sources said the insurgents reportedly overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower.
Ndume also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate military equipment at the frontline, alleging that troops lack sufficient Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and advanced weaponry compared to insurgents.
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He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to equip security agencies with fighter jets and modern technological weapons to decisively end insurgency in the North-East.
The senator noted that ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V in the Sambisa Forest was yielding results but warned that such offensives must not be intermittent.
As of Thursday, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and the Brigade Commander in Gwoza were reportedly in Ngoshe to restore civil authority.
Ndume, however, commended the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Zulum for its continued support to security forces and the resettlement of internally displaced persons across liberated communities.
Meanwhile, the Chairman and Secretary of the Appeal for Assistance to Ngoshe People in Distress, Malam Idrissa Hamman and Engr. Aliyu Shehu, have called for urgent humanitarian support for displaced residents now sheltering in Pulka.
In a joint statement shared on social media, they appealed for cash and material donations including clothes, shoes, blankets, buckets and food items to support affected families.
The initiative, they said, is being coordinated under the Gwoza Youth Forum to restore hope and dignity to displaced members of the community.