Hussaini Ibrahim 
BORNO, Nigeria – Boko Haram insurgents launch a deadly overnight assault on a military base in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing an unspecified number of civilians and abducting several women, security officials and residents say.
The attackers stormed the area around 1am on Wednesday, targeting a military position before spreading into surrounding neighbourhoods, according to eyewitnesses.
Residents report that the insurgents arrive on motorcycles and gun trucks and operate for several hours, triggering panic and forcing many villagers to flee their homes.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirms the attack in an interview on Thursday, saying troops repel the militants but civilian casualties occur.
“A suspected terrorist group attacked a military base in Gwoza around 1am on the 4th. The military were able to repel them,” Daso says.
“However, some unknown number of civilians were affected and killed, while others are still missing.”
Daso adds that authorities suspect some residents are abducted and taken toward the Mandara Mountains, a known insurgent hideout along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
Security agencies are still compiling the number of casualties and abducted persons.
Local residents, speaking anonymously for security reasons, claim the attackers overwhelm soldiers stationed in the area.
“They attacked in large numbers. That gave them the advantage to overpower the soldiers and abduct many women,” one resident says.
Another community member claims that nine soldiers are killed, although officials have not confirmed the figure.
Residents say many villagers flee to Pulka town seeking refuge, fearing further attacks.
Some parts of Ngoshe are reportedly set ablaze as the insurgents withdraw.
Authorities say calm has now returned to the community, with the military taking full control of security operations while investigations continue.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Chukwu Obinna 
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