Suspected members of the Boko Haram insurgent group launched a deadly midnight attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, after reportedly overrunning a military formation in the area.
Residents said the insurgents stormed the town at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, first engaging troops at the military base before advancing into the community.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers operated for several hours, leaving casualties and abducting an unspecified number of residents before air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai forced them to retreat into surrounding forests.
The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident but said the number of civilian casualties had yet to be determined.
Daso added that several residents remain missing, raising fears that some may have been abducted and taken towards the Mandara Mountains.
The attack triggered panic across the community, forcing many residents to flee in different directions as the violence unfolded.
Some displaced persons have reportedly taken temporary shelter in nearby communities, including Pulka, while security agencies continue efforts to account for those affected.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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