Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has stated that armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP raided Ngoshe late Tuesday night, killing an unknown number of civilians, troops, and terrorists.
In order to stop the terrorists wreaking havoc in Southern Borno, he called for a major military operation in the Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forests.
Ndume vehemently denounced the assault, expressed sympathy to the families of the dead, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
In Southern Borno’s Gwoza Local Government Area, Ngoshe is one of the recently relocated communities near the Mandara Mountains.
The military base was removed, he continued, and some significant equipment was destroyed, including homes and property valued at millions of naira that was set on fire.
According to security officials, the attack was initiated by the rebels soon after locals broke their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The source claims that during the attack, the insurgents used superior firepower to overrun the military structure.
However, Senator Ndume urged President Bola Tinubu to provide security agencies with fighter jets and other technological weapons to put an end to the terrorists’ persistent activities. He also stated that the troops’ ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V in Sambisa Forests, which has begun to have a positive impact, should not be intermittent.
He claimed that while terrorists use advanced Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, drones, and other technological weapons to attack and succeed in targets, the military and Nigerian security agencies lack sufficient Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and only use Ak47 rifles with some equipment on the front lines.
“I can confirm to you the killing of an unknown number of civilians, soldiers, and terrorists when armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP invaded one of my communities, Ngoshe,” he said.
“I vehemently denounce the assault. Permit me to offer my condolences to the relatives of the deceased and to wish the injured a speedy recovery.
“Let me also reiterate that the military’s lack of a stationed attack helicopter or helicopters throughout the North East poses a serious threat. The few attack helicopters, fighter jets, and Tucanos that are available have been moved to the North West and Central, making it extremely difficult to access them in the event of a strike in any part of the North East.”
The air component of Joint Task Force North East’s “Operation HADIN KAI” neutralized several of the terrorists who were escaping, according to information I have access to. However, specifics regarding the tragic Ngoshe incident are still hazy. Regretfully, among those killed or massacred were the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, as well as a few elders and soldiers. Furthermore, thousands of civilians—mostly women and children—have been displaced and are currently seeking safety in Pulka Community, while more than 100 persons are still unaccounted for or kidnapped during the raid.
“Residential homes and property valued at millions of naira were set on fire, and the Military Base was displaced with some significant equipment destroyed.
“As I speak, I was informed that the Brigage Commander of Gwoza and the General Officer Commanding 7Div, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, are currently in Ngoshe to ensure civil authority is restored, as we have started liaising with Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Chairman of Gwoza local government area to immediately provide relief items to the displaced persons in Pulka Community,” Ndume clarified.
Additionally, the Senator stated: “Troops’ ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V in Sambisa Forests should not be intermittent.” In order to put an end to the terrorists’ persistent actions, I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide security agencies with fighter jets and other technical weapons.
“It is pitiful that the military and Nigerian security agencies lack sufficient Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and only use Ak47 rifles with a few pieces of equipment on the front lines, while terrorists use advanced Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, drones, and other technological weapons to attack and succeed in targets,” Ndume claimed.
However, he praised the security forces and the Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, for their unwavering support and sacrifices in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, pointing out that these efforts resulted in the relocation of millions of internally displaced people (IDPs) to the liberated communities in the Northeast, especially in Borno.
Mal, the Committee Chairman and Secretary of Appeal for Assistance to Ngoshe People in Distress, appears to be concerned about the most recent incident. In a joint social media statement on Thursday, Idrissa Hamman and Engineer Aliyu Shehu stated that the sufferers require immediate assistance.
“We respectfully write to ask for your immediate assistance for our brothers and sisters who are currently seeking safety in Pulka after being uprooted from Ngoshe. Many of them lack basic needs for everyday survival and live in incredibly terrible situations.
We sincerely ask for your kind assistance, either monetary or in-kind, to help these vulnerable families in light of this humanitarian situation. The following supplies are especially urgently needed: clothing, shoes, blankets, buckets, food, and other necessities for the home.
The Gwoza Youth Forum serves as the venue for the coordination of this humanitarian endeavor.
The initiative’s committee is led by Mal. Idirisa Hamman, with BK Glavda serving as a member and Engineer Aliyu Shehu serving as the secretary.
“Please contact: 0806 273 1228, +234 803 431 5909, 0903 868 9318 & 09061779862 for additional questions, contributions, or cooperation.
“Your kindness, empathy, and support during this crucial time will greatly contribute to giving our community’s displaced members hope and dignity again. “May the Almighty richly reward your generosity,” they wrote.
