Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and terrorists during an attack in Ngoshe community in Borno State by armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP.
Naija News reports that Ndume, in an interview with Vanguard, said the details about the unfortunate incident are still sketchy, but maintained that many of the fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’.
The Senator lamented that the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and some elders and soldiers were among those killed, with over 100 people still missing and abducted during the attack.
Ndume strongly condemned the attack, commiserated with the families of those killed and wished the injured ones a quick recovery.
According to him, the military base was dislodged, with some major equipment destroyed, including residential houses and property worth millions of naira set ablaze.
Ndume also alleged that the military or Nigerian security agencies do not have enough Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, but use only Ak47 rifles with some equipment at the frontlines, while terrorists use sophisticated Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, drones and other technological weapons to attack and succeed in targets.
He called for a serious military operation in Sambisa Forests and the Mandara Mountains to stem the tide of terrorists causing havoc in Southern Borno.
He said, “I can confirm to you the killing of an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and terrorists when armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP invaded one of my communities, Ngoshe.
“I strongly condemn the attack. Let me commiserate with families of those killed and wish the injured ones quick recovery.
“Let me also reiterate that the inability of the military to have a stationed attack helicopter(s) in the whole of the North East is a serious threats, even the few attack helicopters or fighter jets and Tucanos that were available have relocated to the North West and Central, which is very difficult to access them when there is strike in any parts of the North East.
“As it is, details about the unfortunate Ngoshe incident are still sketchy, but information at my disposal revealed many of the fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’. Unfortunately, the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and some elders and soldiers were among those slaughtered or killed. More so, over 100 people are still missing or abducted during the attack, while thousands of Civilians, mostly women and children, are displaced and currently taking refuge in Pulka Community.
“The Military Base was dislodged with some major equipment destroyed, including residential houses and property worth millions of naira set ablaze.
“As I speak, I was informed that the General Officer Commanding 7Div, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu and the Brigage Commander of Gwoza are right now in Ngoshe to ensure civil authority is restored back, as we have started liaising with Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Chairman of Gwoza local government area to immediately provide relief items to the displaced persons in Pulka Community,” Ndume explained.