Fresh attacks linked to the extremist group Boko Haram have again drawn attention to the persistence of violence in north-east Nigeria during the Islamic fasting period of Ramadan.
The latest incident occurred in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where civilians and military personnel were reportedly killed during an assault carried out by suspected insurgents.
The attack also involved the abduction of more than one hundred residents, including men, women and children from nearby communities.
Reports from the area indicate that many of the abducted individuals were taken towards the dense forest regions surrounding Sambisa Forest and the mountainous terrain of the Mandara Mountains.
Both locations have long been associated with insurgent activity due to their difficult terrain and proximity to international borders.
Communities located around these areas have frequently experienced displacement, raids, and kidnappings since the insurgency began in 2009.
Security agencies have repeatedly identified the forests and mountain ranges as strategic hideouts used by insurgents for training, regrouping, and storing supplies.
Residents in several villages around the region have often described the locations as both natural landmarks and enduring security threats.
Over the years, insurgent groups operating in the region have used the terrain to organise attacks, recruit fighters, and evade military operations.
Authorities believe many abducted civilians are transported to remote camps where they are held while insurgents attempt to consolidate control over surrounding areas.
Observers say women and girls taken during raids have sometimes been subjected to forced labour, marriage, or exploitation by armed groups.
The latest attack has reignited questions about why insurgent violence continues during Ramadan, a period traditionally associated with fasting, prayer, and reflection among Muslims worldwide.
Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is widely regarded as a time devoted to spiritual discipline and community engagement.
During the period, Muslims gather frequently at mosques, markets, and public spaces, particularly during evening prayers and communal meals.
Despite these traditions, insurgent attacks linked to Boko Haram have occurred repeatedly during the fasting period over the years.
Historical accounts of the insurgency show that incidents during Ramadan are not uncommon in the conflict-affected regions of north-east Nigeria.
One such incident occurred in 2011 in Maiduguri when civilians were targeted during the fasting period shortly after the group resumed operations following a period of reduced activity.
At that time, a spokesperson for the insurgent group who used the pseudonym Abu Qaqa confirmed responsibility for the assault during a telephone conversation with journalists.
During the exchange, the spokesperson said, “Look, in Islam there are four sacred months during which warfare is traditionally prohibited. They are Dhu al-Qa’dah (11th month), Dhu al-Hijjah (12th month), Muharram (1st month) and Rajab (7th month).”
The statement reflected the group’s interpretation of religious timelines relating to conflict.
However, Islamic scholars and religious leaders widely emphasise that Ramadan is considered a sacred period dedicated to fasting, prayer, and increased acts of charity.
Several attacks attributed to Boko Haram have taken place during Ramadan gatherings where civilians congregate for prayers, markets, or evening meals.
In July 2014, an explosion struck a busy market area in Maiduguri shortly after the start of Ramadan, resulting in casualties among traders and shoppers.
Analysts observed that crowded locations during the fasting period can increase the scale and visibility of such incidents.
Another incident occurred in June 2016 when two suicide bombers attempted to enter a mosque in the Sulemanti area of Maiduguri during late-night Ramadan prayers.
The explosives were eventually detonated outside the building after local vigilantes confronted the attackers before they could reach the congregation.
In May 2019, armed fighters attacked the Madu Musaha internally displaced persons camp in Dikwa, also in Borno State, during the Ramadan fasting period.
The assault occurred in the early hours of the morning while residents were preparing for Sahur, the meal consumed before the start of the daily fast.
Two people were reported killed during the attack while others sustained injuries.
More recently, in June 2025, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a gathering in Konduga near Maiduguri.
The attack occurred during a period corresponding to the Islamic months of Dhul Hijjah and Muharram.
Security analysts have suggested that insurgent groups sometimes target religious gatherings or public events because large numbers of people are present in one place.
Communities suspected by insurgents of cooperating with the Nigerian military or local vigilante groups have also been targeted in retaliation.
Authorities say the insurgent group frequently labels state institutions and some Muslim leaders as opponents of its interpretation of Islam.
This ideological stance has been used by the group to justify attacks on communities, mosques, and public spaces.
The recent attack in Ngoshe occurred shortly after residents had broken their daily fast following hours of daytime fasting.
Witness accounts indicate that some victims had gathered for evening prayers before the gunmen arrived in large numbers.
Among those reportedly killed during the incident was the chief imam of the community alongside several other residents.
Before moving into the town, the attackers were also said to have targeted a military facility operated by troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion.
The renewed violence highlights the continuing security challenges facing communities in the north-east region more than a decade after the insurgency began.
Although security operations have reduced the scale of attacks in some areas, sporadic assaults and kidnappings still occur in remote communities.
Humanitarian organisations say the conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and disrupted livelihoods across several local government areas in Borno State.
Many communities continue to rely on assistance as they rebuild homes and farms destroyed during years of insurgent activity.
The latest incident underscores the complex nature of the conflict, which continues to affect civilian populations despite ongoing security operations and regional cooperation.
