Abuja, Nigeria – Suspected terrorists linked to have reportedly abducted more than 300 residents following a deadly midnight raid on Ngoshe community in of .
According to local sources, the heavily armed insurgents stormed the community late Wednesday night, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety as they rounded up hundreds of villagers. The attack triggered panic across the area, with survivors describing scenes of chaos as families were separated during the assault.
Many residents who managed to escape the attack fled to the nearby town of , where thousands of displaced persons have now taken refuge. However, the sudden influx of survivors has created a humanitarian challenge, with many people reportedly sleeping on roadsides, open spaces, and inside school buildings for fear of returning to their homes.
Community sources said the abducted victims include women, children, and elderly residents, raising concerns about their safety in the custody of the insurgents. Local leaders also fear the number of abductees could rise as more information emerges from surrounding villages affected by the attack.
Security concerns have again intensified across and nearby communities, an area that has repeatedly experienced insurgent attacks over the years.
The latest incident has also reignited debate over the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration initiative for former insurgents, commonly referred to as the “repentant Boko Haram” programme under . Critics of the programme argue that despite the reintegration of former fighters into society, communities in the North-East continue to experience devastating attacks and mass abductions.
Some residents and civil society groups have questioned the long-term impact of the policy, asking whether the rehabilitation of ex-fighters has significantly reduced terrorism or strengthened community security. Others, however, maintain that deradicalisation remains an important strategy for weakening insurgent groups and encouraging defections.
Residents who fled to Pulka are calling on the and other security agencies to urgently intervene, rescue the abducted victims, and restore security in the affected communities.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities were yet to release an official statement on the incident, while humanitarian concerns continue to grow over the condition of displaced residents now stranded in Pulka.
