Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the latest attack by suspected terrorists on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ngoshe, describing the incident as a disturbing sign of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
In a statement issued on Friday, Abubakar reacted to reports that more than 100 residents were abducted during the assault on Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The former presidential candidate said the attack raises serious concerns about the safety of civilians living in insurgency-affected communities across the country’s northeast.
“The attack by suspected terrorists on a military base and an IDP camp in Ngoshe, where over 100 citizens were reportedly abducted, is deeply troubling,” he said.
Abubakar also criticised what he described as the Federal Government’s handling of the security situation, warning that repeated violent attacks across the country are gradually becoming normalised.
According to him, the scale and frequency of killings have created a worrying sense of indifference among both authorities and the public.
“The upsurge in violence and killings has become so widespread that both government and society appear to have grown numb to the bloodshed,” he stated.
He further accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of struggling to contain terrorism while allegedly focusing attention on political rivalries.
“It is unfortunate that the current Federal Government appears to be losing its grip on the fight against terrorism and violent attacks,” Abubakar said, adding that those responsible for internal security seem more focused on political power than on protecting citizens.
While extending sympathy to families affected by the attack, the former vice president urged the government to show greater empathy and take decisive steps to address the rising insecurity.
“I sympathise with the families of the victims, but I must also express strong concern over what appears to be a lack of urgency and compassion toward those suffering from these repeated assaults,” he said.
The latest attack has intensified concerns about the persistent insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, particularly in communities across Borno State that continue to face threats from extremist groups.
Security sources earlier told SaharaReporters that fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction linked to Boko Haram, carried out coordinated attacks on Ngoshe in the early hours of Wednesday.
The militants reportedly struck around 4 a.m., targeting a military formation, the 82 Division Task Force Battalion under the 26 Brigade before also attacking an IDP camp in the town.
Sources said the attackers operated in the area until daybreak, searching houses for soldiers they believed might be hiding within the community.
During the raid, several armoured vehicles and military tanks were reportedly set ablaze, while the militants also carted away an unspecified quantity of weapons and ammunition.