Boko Haram Attack in Borno Leaves 58 Civilians, 5 Soldiers Dead

A fresh wave of violence has struck Borno State, as an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the Daral-Jamal community has resulted in the tragic deaths of 58 civilians and five soldiers. The assault has drawn swift condemnation and renewed a critical debate on the safety of internally displaced persons (IDPs) being resettled in rural areas.

Following the Friday night attack, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited the community to condole with the bereaved families and assess the damage. He confirmed the grim death toll and expressed profound sadness, noting that many of the victims had recently returned to their homes after being relocated from the Government Secondary School displacement camp in Bama. The terrorists also destroyed homes, vehicles, and food supplies, leaving the community devastated.

In his address, Governor Zulum called for a new, multifaceted approach to combatting the insurgency. He argued that military action alone is insufficient, given the limited number of security personnel. He urged the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to assist in protecting vulnerable communities and covering vast, unsecured areas. The governor’s appeal was echoed by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represents the area and condemned the attack as a “crime against humanity.”

The incident is part of a broader resurgence of terrorist activity in Nigeria’s North-East, with both Boko Haram and the rival Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) launching deadly attacks. This renewed wave of violence, compounded by an economic downturn and other security challenges, poses a serious threat to the government’s efforts to resettle displaced populations and restore stability to the region.