Suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed military vehicles escorting motorists along Gwoza- Limankara-Uvaha road in Gwoza local government area of Borno State, killing one soldier and three civilian passengers.
Local and security sources told Vanguard the incident happened around 5:pm on Saturday, September 23, 2023, when the soldiers and civilian JTF were providing cover to passengers travelling to Gwoza, Askira-Uba LGA in Borno and Northern parts of Adamawa State.
They said due to telecommunication lapses, information about the attack did not come until Sunday afternoon, September 24.
The sources said the terrorists also set ablaze five commercial vehicles including a security patrol vehicle, adding that scores of motorists and passengers were either abducted or missing in action.
The senator representing Southern Borno senatorial district, Mohammed Ali Ndume, who confirmed the attack on Sunday, called for collaboration between military and youths in Gwoza to end renewed killings in the community.
Ndume said he was informed about the road ambush and other attacks by Boko Haram terrorists, but could not ascertain the number of casualties.
“Yes seriously, I was informed about the road ambush and other attacks by Boko Haram terrorists, but could not ascertain the number of casualties, especially the road ambush by terrorists last Saturday in Gwoza,” he said.
“I knew that since the rainy season set in, several people, particularly farmers in Gwoza, were killed by terrorists.
“Although, the military have been doing their best in eliminating remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, more needs to be done considering the renewed killings in my constituency like Gwoza town
“I want to also appeal to youths in Gwoza to wake up from their slumber and join the fight against Boko Haram like what youths in Biu, Hawul, Askira-Uba, Chibok and other local government areas are doing in complementing efforts of security agencies in the fight against terrorism which have brought relative peace in those areas
“I also want to call on the local government authorities in Gwoza to support men of the Civilian JTF, as well as the military to intensify efforts and address the renewed killings in Gwoza and its environs.
“It is regrettable to inform you that most of these killings in Gwoza are perpetrated by youths in Gwoza who have joined Boko Haram and refused to surrender as witnessed in recent times. Therefore, I reiterate that youths in Gwoza should please stop demonstration or rioting whenever there was an attack, rather, they should join the forefront in the fight against Boko Haram like what is obtainable in many communities
“My appeal to the military is to deploy more troops in Gwoza so that they can finish the work they have started, so that these intermittent attacks on our farmers will stop. People are seriously living in fear, they are scared of going about their economic activities, our farmers are no longer going to their farms to harvest their crops due to fear of the unknown, and it is very worrisome,” Ndume lamented.
Meanwhile, one of the civilians killed in the attack has been identified as Zira Ishaku, from Michika, Adamawa State.
