Insurgency : Ndume Confirms Killing Of Scores, Abduction Of Others In Borno

The senator representing Southern Borno Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, (Borno South) has confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of civilians, soldiers and terrorists when suspected members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded Ngoshe last Tuesday evening.

He called for a serious military operation in Sambisa Forests and the Mandara Mountains to stem the tide of terrorists causing havoc in Southern Borno.

Ndume who condemned the attack, commiserated with the families of those killed and wished the injured ones quick recovery.

LEADERSHIP reports that Ngoshe is one of the newly – resettled communities around the Mandara Mountains located in Gwoza Local Government Area in Southern Borno.

Speaking on Thursday, the senator also said the details about the unfortunate incident are still sketchy, but maintained that many of the fleeing terrorists were neutralised by the air component of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI.’

He lamented that the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and some elders and soldiers were among those killed, with over 100 people still missing during the attack, while thousands of civilians, mostly women and children are displaced and currently taking refuge in Pulka community.

He added that the military base was dislodged, with some major equipment destroyed, including residential houses and property worth millions of naira set ablaze.

Security sources said the insurgents launched the attack shortly after residents broke their fast in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to the source, the insurgents overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower during the assault.

But according to Senator Ndume, the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V in Sambisa Forests by troops, which has started yielding positive impact, should not be intermittent, and called on President Bola Tinubu to equip security agencies with fighter jets and other technological weapons to end the lingering terrorists’ activities.

He alleged that the security agencies do not have enough Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, but use only Ak47 rifles with some equipment at the frontlines, while terrorists use sophisticated Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns, drones and other technological weapons to attack and succeed in targets.