Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
Residents and survivors of a recent insurgent attack in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area, have raised urgent concerns over elderly villagers and bodies reportedly left behind following a large-scale assault by fighters linked to Boko Haram. According to community members who fled the attack, dozens of vulnerable residents—mostly elderly individuals unable to escape—were abandoned in the aftermath of the raid, while several bodies reportedly remained unburied in the affected areas. Survivors say the militants also abducted hundreds of villagers during the assault, further deepening fears about the fate of those taken into captivity. The attack targeted Ngoshe, a rural community located near the border with Cameroon, an area that has experienced repeated insurgent incursions over the past decade due to its proximity to forested terrain used by militant groups. Residents who escaped the violence told local authorities and humanitarian workers that the attackers stormed the village in large numbers, forcing many people to flee into nearby hills and surrounding communities. Witness accounts indicate that while younger residents were able to escape the assault, elderly villagers and individuals with mobility challenges were left behind as families fled for safety. Survivors say returning to retrieve them has been difficult due to persistent security risks and fear of further attacks. Local leaders and humanitarian sources have called for urgent intervention from the Nigerian Armed Forces and emergency agencies to secure the area and assist with recovery efforts, including the evacuation of vulnerable residents and the burial of those killed during the attack. The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, driven primarily by Boko Haram and its splinter factions, has persisted for more than a decade, displacing millions and causing widespread humanitarian challenges across Borno State and neighboring regions. Communities in the Lake Chad Basin continue to face periodic attacks, abductions, and destruction of property despite ongoing military operations. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that civilians in remote areas remain highly vulnerable due to limited security presence, difficult terrain, and ongoing militant activity. Authorities have yet to release a full casualty count from the Ngoshe attack, and efforts to verify the number of abducted residents are ongoing. Security analysts note that mass abductions remain a tactic used by insurgent groups to recruit fighters, extract ransom, and destabilize communities across the region. Residents who fled the attack are now calling for urgent humanitarian assistance, including medical support, food supplies, and the safe return of abducted family members. Sources: Reports and information referenced by widely recognized media outlets including Reuters; BBC News; Al Jazeera; and The Guardian.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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