ISWAP/Boko Haram Abducts Over 100 Women, Children in Borno Assault

Abducts Over 100 Women, Children in Borno

ISWAP/Boko Haram Abducts Over 100 Women, Children in Borno Assault

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists carried out a massive assault on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, abducting over 100 women and children, killing soldiers and community leaders, and forcing thousands of residents to flee, security sources and local officials report. The attack occurred shortly after Muslims broke their Ramadan fast earlier this week and targeted both a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

The militants first stormed a military base belonging to the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Task Force Battalion, overpowering troops due to their large numbers. Soldiers were killed, and weapons, ammunition, and vehicles were seized or destroyed. Following this, the insurgents moved into Ngoshe town and attacked the IDP camp, abducting women and children and killing the chief imam along with some elders. Residents described the attack as devastating, noting that informants may have aided the insurgents’ coordinated strike.

It has been difficult to confirm the total casualties, but at least nine soldiers have been recovered dead, with many more feared missing. Armoured tanks and military vehicles were burnt, and villagers fled to Pulka community and surrounding areas for safety. Survivors described heartbreaking scenes of mothers searching for children and families torn apart, highlighting the humanitarian toll of the assault.

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In response, the Nigerian military carried out precision airstrikes under Operation Hadin Kai, targeting insurgents along known escape routes. Reports indicate that over 50 terrorists were killed, disrupting their ability to regroup and carry out further attacks. However, the devastation caused by the initial strike left thousands displaced and without basic necessities, amplifying the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in the region.

The attack has been attributed to a resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP activity in areas such as Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations. Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) condemned the assault, mourning the loss of soldiers and community leaders while calling for intensified military efforts in these insurgent strongholds. He stressed that the lack of stationed attack helicopters and fighter jets in the Northeast hindered effective military response. The senator also coordinated with local authorities to provide relief to displaced families in Pulka.

Residents of Ngoshe reported that many fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs. One local man said, “You will see mothers crying, searching for their children and husbands. The trauma is devastating.” The attack has renewed concerns over security in northeastern Nigeria, particularly as it comes during Ramadan, when Boko Haram/ISWAP historically intensifies operations against civilians and military targets.

The Nigerian government and military authorities continue to pursue insurgents, but the incident underscores the enduring security challenges in Borno State and the wider Lake Chad Basin region. Ongoing displacement, abductions, and attacks on military installations highlight the need for sustained and enhanced counter-insurgency measures.