Widespread anger and grief have followed a fresh Boko Haram attack on Darajamal, a resettled community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, where at least 63 people—including five soldiers—were killed.
The terrorists stormed the community late Friday night around 10 p.m., arriving on motorcycles and unleashing hours of gunfire, burning houses, shops, and vehicles. Survivors said the attackers operated freely until military reinforcements eventually arrived.
Local sources confirmed that dozens of civilians were gunned down, while six construction workers who were not residents were also among the dead.
Governor Babagana Zulum, who visited the community on Saturday, described the incident as “very sad,” confirming the death toll.
“At this moment we have confirmed that 63 people lost their lives, both civilians and military, although the civilian casualties are more. This community was resettled only a few months ago, and now it has suffered this tragedy,” Zulum said.
He lamented the shortage of security manpower and called for the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to protect vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said it killed over 30 insurgents in retaliatory airstrikes. According to its spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the strikes were carried out in coordination with ground forces after terrorists were spotted fleeing towards nearby bushes.
International and national figures have condemned the killings.
Mohamed Fall, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, described the attack as “appalling,” stressing that “civilians should never be a target.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called the massacre “senseless violence” and offered condolences to the bereaved families, commending Governor Zulum’s swift response.
Senator Ali Ndume criticised the limited capabilities of local vigilantes armed only with den guns and sticks, urging the Federal Government to adopt a TEAM approach—Technology, Equipment, Arms, Ammunition, and Motivation—to strengthen the counterinsurgency.
Residents and aid agencies have warned that recently resettled communities remain highly vulnerable to insurgent attacks. The UN also noted that similar deadly assaults have recently targeted markets, health centres, and rural communities across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
For Darajamal, the massacre has rekindled painful fears about whether lasting peace and stability will ever return to Borno after more than 15 years of insurgency.
