Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has expressed his sympathy to the people of Ngoshe affected by Tuesday’s multiple Boko Haram attacks in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Ngoshe, a border community with Cameroon, saw over 100 people killed, with at least 250 women and children abducted after breaking their fast at 6:20 p.m.

Addressing survivors of the multiple attacks at Pulka, as well as another community in Cameroon, Zulum said: “I came to sympathise with the affected people and families of those who lost their loved ones.”

He assured them that efforts are underway to rescue all those abducted, restore security, and provide humanitarian support to the dozens of victims, including children and women.

Zulum further stated: “We are here today to commiserate with the people of Ngoshe who have lost their loved ones, following the unfortunate incident that occurred on Tuesday.

“The situation is very sad, and our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.

“I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to address the unfortunate situation that has befallen this community, and for those who have been abducted, the Nigerian military will do everything within its capacity to rescue them.”

The governor explained that joint military operations are ongoing in Ngoshe and the Sambisa Forest to rid the area of criminal elements who usually hide in the caves of the Mandara Mountains, which extend into Adamawa and Taraba states.

Beyond the military operations in the mountains of Gwoza, Zulum added, “There are ongoing aerial surveillances within the Sambisa Game Reserve (SGR).

“What we witnessed yesterday was largely a result of insurgents being pushed out from their strongholds, which led them to launch coordinated attacks on nearby communities.”

He called on the Nigerian Army to intensify operations by clearing insurgents from the Mandara Hills, which he described as “a major security threat to people’s lives and property.”

Lamenting the security threats from the Gwoza hills, he said, “The Mandara Hills remain a major security concern.

“The terrorists descended from the hills to attack this town. Therefore, I call on the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to clear Mandara Hills of other insurgents.”

The governor noted that the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as assessments are still ongoing, but acknowledged that several lives were lost while others were abducted by the fleeing insurgents to their enclaves in the hills.

As part of an immediate humanitarian intervention, the governor said the state government had begun distributing relief materials and establishing cooking points to provide food for thedisplaced residents.

“For now, we will distribute food items to those affected, and I have directed that cooking points be established so that everyone in this community can receive meals from a central kitchen,” he said.

The governor appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that Borno State government will double its efforts to end this madness.

“We shall not relent in our commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the state,” he said.

He assured them that, “I strongly believe that with sustained military operations and cooperation between all levels of government, we will overcome this challenge. Insha Allah, peace will return fully to the state.”

On his return from Pulka, Zulum also inspected the torched houses and shops during the 30-minute attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday in Konduga town.