Senator Ali Ndume has confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers, and terrorists when armed members of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province invaded Ngoshe last Tuesday evening.
The senator, who represents Borno South, called for a major military operation in the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains to curb the activities of terrorists causing havoc in southern Borno State.
Ndume strongly condemned the attack, sympathised with families of those killed, and wished the injured a quick recovery.
Ngoshe is one of the newly resettled communities around the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of southern Borno.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday morning, the senator said details of the incident were still sketchy but disclosed that many fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai.
He also lamented that the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, some elders, and soldiers were among those killed, while more than 100 people remain missing or abducted. According to him, thousands of civilians — mostly women and children — have been displaced and are currently taking refuge in Pulka community.
Ndume added that the military base in the area was dislodged during the attack, with major equipment destroyed and residential houses and property worth millions of naira set ablaze.
Security sources said the insurgents launched the attack shortly after residents broke their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
According to the sources, the insurgents overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower during the assault.
However, Ndume said the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V in the Sambisa Forest, which he said has started yielding positive results, should be sustained rather than intermittent. He called on President Bola Tinubu to equip security agencies with fighter jets and advanced technological weapons to end the persistent terrorist attacks.
He also alleged that Nigerian security agencies lack sufficient Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, noting that troops on the frontlines often rely mainly on AK-47 rifles and limited equipment, while terrorists deploy sophisticated weapons such as Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), anti-aircraft machine guns, drones, and other advanced technologies.
Ndume said:
“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.
“I strongly condemn the attack. Let me commiserate with families of those killed and wish the injured ones quick recovery.
“Let me also reiterate that the inability of the military to have a stationed attack helicopter(s) in the whole of the North East is a serious threats, even the few attack helicopters or fighter jets and Tucanos that were available have relocated to the North West and Central, which is very difficult to access them when there is strike in any parts of the North East.
“As it is, details about the unfortunate Ngoshe incident are still sketchy, but information at my disposal revealed many of the fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’. Unfortunately, the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and some elders and soldiers were among those slaughtered or killed. More so, over 100 people are still missing or abducted during the attack, while thousands of Civilians, mostly women and children, are displaced and currently taking refuge in Pulka Community.
“The Military Base was dislodged with some major equipment destroyed, including residential houses and property worth millions of naira set ablaze.
“As I speak, I was informed that the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and the Brigade Commander of Gwoza are right now in Ngoshe to ensure civil authority is restored, as we have started liaising with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency and the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area to immediately provide relief items to displaced persons in Pulka community.”
The senator also said:
“The ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V in Sambisa Forests by troops should not be intermittent. I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to equip security agencies with fighter jets and other technological weapons to end the lingering terrorists’ activities.
“It is pathetic that the military or Nigerian security agencies do not have enough Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, but only use AK47 rifles with some few equipment at frontlines, while terrorists use sophisticated Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, drones and other technological weapons to attack and succeed in targets.”
Ndume, however, commended the efforts of the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Zulum and security forces for their sacrifices in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. He noted that these efforts have enabled the resettlement of millions of internally displaced persons back to liberated communities in the North-East, particularly in Borno.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over the latest attack, the Chairman and Secretary of the Appeal Committee for Assistance to Ngoshe People in Distress, Malam Idrissa Hamman and Engr. Aliyu Shehu, called for urgent support for victims.
In a joint social media post on Thursday, they wrote: “We humbly write to seek your urgent support for our brothers and sisters who have been displaced from Ngoshe and are currently taking refuge in Pulka. Many of them are living under extremely difficult conditions and lack basic necessities for daily survival.
“In view of this humanitarian situation, we are earnestly appealing for your kind support, either in cash or in kind to assist these vulnerable families. As a matter of urgency, we are particularly soliciting the following items: Clothes, Shoes, Blankets, Buckets, Food items and other essential household items.
“This humanitarian initiative is being coordinated under the platform of the Gwoza Youth Forum.
“The Chairman of the Committee for this initiative is Mal. Idirisa Hamman, while the Secretary is Engr. Aliyu Shehu & BK Glavda as Member.
“For further inquiries, contributions, or coordination, please contact: 0806 273 1228, +234 803 431 5909, 0903 868 9318 & 09061779862.
“Your generosity, compassion, and solidarity during this critical period will go a long way in restoring hope and dignity to the displaced members of our community. May the Almighty reward your kindness abundantly.”