By Jummai Ezeobika
No fewer than 20 persons, including 14 soldiers and a senior officer, have reportedly been killed following coordinated attacks by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on military formations and communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attacks, which occurred Tuesday night, targeted the Nigerian Army bases in Ngoshe and Pulka, both located in the southern part of the state.
Security sources said the insurgents overran the Ngoshe military base after heavy fighting, forcing troops to withdraw while weapons and ammunition were carted away.
Local sources also reported that several homes were burnt and the community largely deserted following the assault.
Residents said more than 100 villagers were abducted during the raid, while several others were killed.
The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, confirmed the incident, noting that soldiers, civilians and some of the attackers were killed during the invasion.
He said the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and some community elders were among those who lost their lives.
According to him, the air component of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, later engaged the fleeing insurgents and neutralised several of them.
However, many civilians, mostly women and children, have been displaced and are currently taking refuge in Pulka.
Ndume called for intensified military operations in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains to curb insurgent activities in southern Borno.
He also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced residents.
