Unknown Armed Group Claims Responsibility for Borno Attack and Kidnapping of 300 Residents

An unidentified armed group has asserted their culpability in a deadly attack on the community of Ngoshe located in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Reports indicate that the assault resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers and civilians, with over 300 residents reported missing after being abducted during the raid.

It is reported that the attackers invaded the town on Wednesday night, destroying a military base and opening fire indiscriminately throughout the community, while also setting numerous homes and shops ablaze.

In footage released following the attack, five armed individuals claimed responsibility and expressed their intention to take control of the town. Speaking in Hausa, one spokesperson communicated the group’s plans to celebrate the upcoming Eid al-Fitr at the central mosque of Ngoshe.

The spokesperson stated, “In the name of Allah, the most merciful and most beneficial. We thank God Almighty for enabling us to achieve our objectives in Ngoshe. We are now situated within the central mosque in Ngoshe.” He further claimed, “People here are suggesting that we cannot take over Ngoshe. With Allah's assistance, we have already succeeded.”

He emphasized the group's resolve to remain entrenched in the community. “By God's grace, we are going to settle in Ngoshe and incorporate it into our province, and we will perform the Eid-el-Fitr prayers here after Ramadan,” the spokesperson added.

Additionally, the man asserted that many villagers were kidnapped during the incident. “We have executed both males and females in Ngoshe and have taken others captive, as Allah commanded us to take them as captives,” he remarked.

The group issued further threats, warning that they would expand their assaults to include other cities such as Maiduguri and Abuja. Supplemental footage released by the group allegedly portrays scenes from the attack.

Eyewitnesses who managed to escape the community reported that the attackers operated for several hours without intervention before soldiers from Operation Hadin Kai deployed air support, driving the militants into adjacent forests. Survivors claimed many elderly residents were abandoned and multiple victims’ bodies were left behind as people fled in terror, leaving their possessions to escape to neighboring areas.

Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, confirmed that the attack did indeed take place but noted that a complete assessment of casualties was still pending. He stated, “While we are aware that an unspecified number of civilians were affected or killed, many remain missing, and it is likely that some were abducted towards the Mandara Mountains.”