Crime, News

Boko Haram Raid Leaves Trail of Destruction in Borno as Hundreds Remain Unaccounted For

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 6th, 2026.

Hundreds of residents are feared missing following a deadly midnight assault by suspected members of Boko Haram on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack forced thousands of survivors to flee to the nearby town of Pulka, where many displaced families are now taking refuge in schools and open spaces amid fears of further violence.

According to local sources, the insurgents launched the attack in the early hours of Wednesday, reportedly targeting a military formation in Ngoshe before turning their assault on civilians in the community. Witnesses said the attackers arrived at about 1 a.m., firing sporadically and causing widespread panic as residents fled into nearby bushes for safety.

The violence reportedly lasted for several hours before the air component of Operation Hadin Kai intervened to repel the attackers. During the confrontation, several homes were set ablaze, leaving significant destruction in the community before the assailants retreated into surrounding forest areas.

Security sources indicated that Nigerian troops later tracked the fleeing insurgents along known escape routes, leading to targeted airstrikes that reportedly eliminated more than 50 fighters. The attack on the military base, however, was said to have claimed the lives of several soldiers, with preliminary reports suggesting at least nine military personnel were killed during the encounter.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said authorities were still working to determine the number of civilians affected by the attack. He noted that several residents remain unaccounted for and may have been abducted by the insurgents during the raid.

According to Daso, the missing individuals are believed to have been taken towards the Mandara Mountains, a rugged terrain frequently used by insurgents as a hideout. He added that security agencies are currently verifying reports about the abduction, including claims that prominent community members may also be among those missing.

Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, strongly condemned the attack and disclosed that more than 100 residents were still missing following the assault. He said the insurgents overwhelmed the military position in the town before unleashing violence on civilians.

The senator further revealed that residential buildings and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the attack, while several respected members of the community—including the Chief Imam and some elders—were reportedly among those killed.

Survivors of the incident described the attack as devastating, with many families now separated and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. The District Secretary of Ngoshe, Shuaibu Dabawa, claimed that the scale of the abduction could exceed 300 people.

According to him, residents were forced to flee into surrounding bushes after hearing gunshots, where many spent the entire night hiding for safety. Dabawa expressed deep concern over elderly residents who may still be trapped in the town alongside the bodies of victims left behind after the attack.

He also lamented that Ngoshe has been largely deserted following the incident, as most residents escaped with nothing except the clothes they were wearing. Many displaced families are now scattered across Pulka, with large numbers taking refuge at the Central Primary School in the community.

Another survivor, Audu Bello, said it may take time to determine the exact number of abducted residents, explaining that only affected families can confirm who is missing. He described the incident as a mass abduction that has torn apart several households, with relatives now separated across different locations.

Similarly, Amina Halidu, a displaced resident now sheltering in Pulka, highlighted the difficult conditions confronting those who fled the violence. She said many of the displaced persons—mostly women and children—are struggling with shortages of food, water and adequate shelter.

In response to the humanitarian situation, the Borno State Government said emergency assistance had been mobilised for the affected residents. The Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, explained that relief materials including rice, millet, sugar and blankets had been dispatched to displaced families through the state emergency management agency.

He added that healthcare workers and sanitation officials were also deployed to the area to prevent disease outbreaks among displaced persons.

Tar, however, noted that the exact number of missing residents was still being verified by authorities, stressing that the situation remains fluid.

Meanwhile, security sources revealed that the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, is expected to visit the affected community to assess the situation and interact with victims as part of ongoing security and humanitarian efforts.

Hundreds Missing as Suspected Boko Haram Fighters Attack Borno Community, Thousands Displaced