March 6, 2026
News
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the latest attack by suspected terrorists in Ngoshe, Borno State, describing the incident as a troubling sign that Nigeria may be losing the battle against insurgency.
In a statement released on Friday, Atiku reacted to reports that armed militants attacked both a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area. The assault reportedly led to the abduction of more than 100 residents and the killing of several individuals, including soldiers.
The former vice president expressed deep concern about the scale of the attack and warned that the continued wave of violence across the country reflects a worsening security situation.
“The attack by suspected terrorists on a military base and an IDP camp in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, in which over 100 citizens were abducted, is deeply troubling,” Atiku said.
He criticised the response of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the federal government of failing to adequately address the persistent security threats facing communities across the country.
According to Atiku, the growing number of violent attacks has created a dangerous sense of normalisation, where both government officials and the public appear increasingly numb to the bloodshed.
“The upsurge in violence and killings has become so widespread across the country that both government and society seem to have grown numb to the bloodshed resulting from these assaults,” he stated.
The former vice president further alleged that the current administration appears to be losing control of the security situation while devoting more attention to political battles.
“It is unfortunate that the current Federal Government appears to be losing its grip on the fight against terrorism and violent attacks,” he said, adding that the government seems more focused on political opponents and internal power struggles.
Atiku also expressed disappointment with what he described as the priorities of those responsible for internal security, accusing members of the ruling party of focusing on political consolidation while citizens and security personnel continue to face deadly attacks.
While extending his sympathy to families affected by the violence, he called on the government to show greater empathy and take decisive action to protect civilians.
“I sympathise with the families of the victims of this Ngoshe attack, but I must express strong indignation at what appears to be a lack of empathy toward victims of these increasingly frequent assaults,” he added.
The attack has heightened fears over the security situation in Nigeria’s northeast, where communities continue to face threats from insurgent groups despite years of military operations.
Earlier reports indicated that fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province — a faction of the insurgent group Boko Haram — carried out a coordinated assault on Ngoshe around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Security sources said the militants attacked the 82 Division Task Force Battalion under the 26 Brigade and also stormed a camp housing internally displaced persons in the community. The gunmen reportedly operated for several hours, ransacking parts of the town while searching for soldiers they believed might be hiding.
During the raid, the attackers allegedly destroyed armoured vehicles and military equipment, burnt several tanks, and fled with an unspecified quantity of ammunition.
The incident adds to growing concerns about persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast, particularly in communities within Gwoza Local Government Area, which has remained a flashpoint of insurgent activity for years.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more details emerge about the attack and the fate of those reportedly abducted.
