Hundreds of residents of Kirawa, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, have fled to neighbouring Cameroon following a deadly Boko Haram attack, spending their nights on streets, in mosques, and in classrooms to avoid further assaults.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly prompted the withdrawal of troops from the area, leaving residents vulnerable. Many now cross daily into Cameroon to sleep, returning to Nigeria in the morning.
District Head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, confirmed the mass displacement and called for urgent government intervention to restore peace.
“Our people now juggle between two countries—sleeping in Cameroon at night and returning to Nigeria during the day. This is the first time we are facing such a situation since our community was resettled,” Abubakar said.
Displaced residents described the conditions across the border as dire.
“At night, many sleep in the open, on roads, in mosques, or in classrooms. On Monday, heavy rainfall forced dozens to seek shelter wherever they could,” said Buba Aji, who added that the community is currently without any Nigerian troops.
Another resident, Atahiru Lawan, estimated that 80 to 90 percent of the population had fled, including children, and appealed for immediate deployment of security forces.
Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security Matters, Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), said the state government was aware of the situation and taking action.
The incident has also sparked controversy between residents and the military over the nature of the attack. While the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, maintained that Cameroonian troops—not Nigerian soldiers—were targeted, locals insist there has been no Nigerian military presence in Kirawa for years, with security provided solely by Cameroonian forces.
Witnesses said the insurgents burned down the home of the district head, destroyed shops, and kidnapped a junior secondary school student, Aisha Muhammad Aja, during the assault, which lasted from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Residents warned that the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops could leave the community completely exposed to further attacks, urging both state and federal authorities to provide immediate protection and work towards the release of the abducted schoolgirl.
