Terror group claims responsibility for Borno attack, over 300 residents abducted

A terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Ngoshe, a community in of , where several soldiers and civilians were reportedly killed and more than 300 residents abducted.

The attack occurred on Wednesday night when armed men stormed the community, setting a military base on fire and shooting sporadically. Houses and shops were also burned during the hours-long assault, forcing many residents to flee the area.

In a video circulating online on Friday, five armed men claimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking in Hausa, one of the men said the group had successfully taken control of Ngoshe and intended to remain in the town.

According to the spokesman in the video, the attackers plan to make Ngoshe part of their territory and celebrate the upcoming in the community’s central mosque after the end of .

He also alleged that many residents were abducted during the attack and would be taken away as captives. The group further threatened to extend its operations to and .

Eyewitnesses said the attack lasted for several hours before Nigerian military forces responded. Air operations under were later deployed to repel the attackers, forcing them to retreat toward the .

The spokesperson of the , , confirmed the incident, noting that the number of casualties and missing residents was still being determined.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security in Borno State, , said the government had begun providing relief materials to survivors who fled to , another town in Gwoza LGA.

According to him, the assistance includes food items such as rice, sugar and millet, as well as blankets. Health and sanitation officials have also been deployed to the area to prevent possible disease outbreaks among displaced residents.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to verify the number of victims and track down the attackers. Authorities say investigations are ongoing while humanitarian support is being provided to those affected by the violence.