Boko Haram insurgents have taken control of Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, after a violent attack on Wednesday night that left soldiers and civilians dead and hundreds of residents abducted.
According to reports, the assailants struck shortly after Muslims broke their fast, burning homes and the local military base, and killing the town’s chief Imam along with several elders. Eyewitnesses say the attackers overran security posts with ease, leaving the community in shock.
In a video circulating on Friday, five young men identifying as members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, led by Imam Ubu Umaima, claimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking in Hausa, the group said they had occupied the central mosque in Ngoshe and intended to rename the town Daular Islam (Caliphate).
“With the grace of Allah, we have conquered Ngoshe. We will hold Eid-el-Fitr prayers in the central mosque,” the insurgents said. “We have killed soldiers, abducted women and children, and enslaved them. This is our divine right.”
The militants further vowed to expand their campaign, declaring plans to push their operations from Ngoshe toward Maiduguri and eventually Abuja.
“We have slaughtered them, abducted their women and children and enslaved them. They are our legal property to use as ordained by God.
“We have conquered Ngoshe and will remain here, we are willing to die for this course. It’s our third day in this town and we will extend the fight and reclaim more places from here to Maiduguri, up to Abuja ” he said