Fresh details have emerged following the recent attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza, suggesting that more than 300 residents abducted during the assault may now be held in captivity and forced into slavery by insurgents. The attack, which occurred on March 4, has been linked to Boko Haram, also known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. The group reportedly claimed responsibility for the assault and subsequently issued threats concerning the fate of the abducted victims.
Security sources and local reports indicate that many of those taken from the community may have been transported to insurgent hideouts, where they could be subjected to forced labour and other forms of exploitation. Ngoshe, a border community located in Borno State, has long been vulnerable to insurgent attacks due to its proximity to difficult terrain and remote mountainous areas.
The incident came to public attention after reports surfaced that suspected Boko Haram fighters launched an assault on a military formation stationed in the town. According to earlier reports published on March 5, the insurgents first attacked the military base in Ngoshe, forcing soldiers stationed there to retreat before moving into the surrounding community. After dispersing the troops, the attackers reportedly carried out widespread violence in the area, killing civilians and abducting hundreds of residents, including women and children.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed that the attack occurred and acknowledged that the exact number of casualties and missing persons was still being determined. “An unknown number of civilians yet to be ascertained were also affected and killed. Some are still missing, and probably some were abducted and taken towards the Mandara Mountains,” Daso said. The Mandara Mountains have long been known as a strategic hideout for insurgent groups operating in the North-East, as the rugged terrain makes military operations difficult and provides cover for militant camps. Local sources and community leaders have expressed fears that the abducted residents may be forced into slavery within insurgent-controlled areas.
In previous incidents, Boko Haram fighters have reportedly subjected captives to forced labour, forced marriages, and other forms of exploitation. The attack has renewed concerns about the fragile security situation in parts of northeastern Nigeria, where communities continue to face threats from insurgent groups despite years of military operations aimed at restoring peace. Residents of Ngoshe and surrounding communities have called for urgent intervention from security agencies, urging authorities to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the abducted victims. Humanitarian groups have also warned that the situation could worsen if swift action is not taken, as families remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones who were taken during the raid.
Security agencies have not yet released further details regarding rescue operations, but officials say investigations and search efforts are ongoing as authorities attempt to track the insurgents and determine the whereabouts of the abducted residents. The latest attack underscores the continuing threat posed by insurgent groups in the region and the persistent humanitarian crisis affecting communities across northeastern Nigeria.
