More than 300 people, including women and children, have been abducted by Islamic militants following an attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, officials have confirmed.
Local authorities said the terrorists stormed the town on Friday, carrying out a large-scale raid before abducting hundreds of residents and fleeing the area.
Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area, told Sky News the attack is believed to be linked to recent military operations that reportedly killed three commanders of the Boko Haram insurgent group.
Although no group has formally claimed responsibility, security officials suspect the attack may have been carried out by Boko Haram or fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which operate widely across northeastern Nigeria.
Military authorities also reported that militants launched additional attacks on nearby communities including Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok, though those assaults were repelled by Nigerian troops.
Despite the successful defence of those locations, security officials said some soldiers, including a senior officer, lost their lives during the clashes with insurgents.
The mass abduction highlights the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast, where terrorist groups continue to target remote communities with limited security presence.
Security analysts say insurgents often carry out rapid motorcycle raids, attacking villages and retreating into forested areas before military forces can respond effectively.
The latest incident comes amid rising fears of renewed militant activity in the region, where extremist groups have intensified attacks despite ongoing military operations.
Nigeria has experienced repeated mass kidnappings over the past decade, particularly in the northwest and northeast, as armed groups increasingly use abductions to spread fear and raise ransom funds.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of victims taken during the Ngoshe attack, but local officials warned the figure could rise as more information emerges.
Security forces are continuing operations in the area to track the attackers and secure the release of those abducted.
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