Suspected fighters of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly killed a mosque imam and abducted more than 100 residents, including women and children, in Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
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Security sources said the attack occurred on Tuesday shortly after residents had broken their Ramadan fast. The assailants were said to have stormed the community in large numbers and were heavily armed.
A security source in Borno, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the attackers reportedly overran a military base in the area during the raid.
According to the source, about nine soldiers are feared to have been killed, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
The gunmen subsequently advanced into the Borno town, where they killed the chief imam and kidnapped more than 100 women and children. Several other residents were also said to have sustained injuries during the attack.
“Right now, most of the people in Ngoshe have fled. The town is almost empty, and many of us have taken refuge in Pulka,” the source told Daily Trust.
The source also alleged that the attackers received help from someone within the community, which made it easier for them to enter the town.
Residents said the gunmen also set parts of the community in Borno on fire while leaving, forcing many people to flee.
There has been no official statement from the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
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