The terror group claims the Borno massacre, saying 300 citizens were enslaved

A violent armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack that devastated Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of ​​Borno State, declaring that it had “conquered” the town after a night of bloodshed that left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead and more than 300 residents kidnapped.

The attackers stormed the community on Wednesday evening, reportedly setting fire to the military base, shooting sporadically into homes, and torching shops and residential buildings as terrified residents fled for safety.

In a disturbing video that emerged Friday morning, five masked men appeared inside what they identified as the central mosque in Ngoshe, bragging about the attack and announcing their intention to remain in the community.

Speaking in Hausa on behalf of the group, one of the men claimed that the attack had achieved its objective.

“In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficial.

“We thank Almighty God for helping us make our mission in Ngoshe a success. Today we are inside the central mosque in Ngoshe.

“The people of this town said that we could not conquer Ngoshe. With God’s help, we have conquered this town.

“By God’s grace, we will stay in Ngoshe and make it part of our province and we will perform Eid prayers after the end of Ramadan in Ngoshe.”

The group’s spokesperson also acknowledged that civilians were brutally killed in the raids, including men and women.

“We have massacred men and women in Ngoshe and we have enslaved others. Allah Almighty said that we should enslave them and go with them,” he said.

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The group further threatened to expand its campaign of violence beyond Borno’s border communities, and warned that future attacks could target major cities, including Maiduguri and Abuja.

Video released by the attackers from the scene showed scenes of extreme violence, including the killing of young men and attacks on women and children.

Following the raid, survivors from Ngoshe expressed deep concern for the elderly residents and bodies of victims left in the abandoned community after the attackers forced residents to flee.

Many of the displaced villagers are now scattered in surrounding communities in Gwoza Local Government Area, managing to escape the attack with only the clothes on their backs.

Residents said they were forced to abandon their homes, livestock and personal belongings as they ran for safety.

Witnesses said the attack lasted for several hours before the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian military’s counter-insurgency mission in the Northeast, mobilized and forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding jungle.

When confirming the attack, Borno State Police Command Spokesperson, Nahum Daso, said the number of victims was still being collected, and several residents were reported missing.

“Even though there are still unknown numbers of civilians, it cannot be confirmed that they were affected or killed. Some are still missing and it is possible that some were kidnapped and taken to the Mandara Mountains,” he said.

Authorities said efforts were underway to determine the true scale of the tragedy.

Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said the government was still verifying the number of missing citizens and fatalities.

“For missing people, we are in the process of verifying, we cannot yet confirm the actual number,” he said when interviewed by telephone.

Tar added that the state government has begun providing emergency assistance to survivors who fled the attack and are currently taking shelter in Pulka, another town in Gwoza Local Government Area.

“There are protocols established by the state government to provide support to communities affected by conflict. In Ngoshe’s case, the community gathered in Pulka, a nearby town, and support came directly from the local government.

“In addition, the state government, through the State Emergency Management Agency, has sent palliative medicines to all victims and every household. These items include rice, sugar, millet and blankets. They will arrive tomorrow.”

He assured that displaced residents were receiving assistance and that security forces were working to stabilize the area.

“Now the people are comfortable and the military is on top of the situation, ensuring that there is a security corridor for the transportation of goods to the victims,” ​​Usman assured, adding that health and sanitation workers have also been deployed to the location to prevent disease outbreaks.

Ngoshe’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in northeastern Nigeria, where communities near the Mandara Mountains face constant threats from armed rebel groups operating in the region.