The militant group Boko Haram has reportedly killed over 60 individuals in an overnight attack in Borno State, Nigeria, according to local officials. The assault occurred on Friday night in the village of Darul Jamal, which is located near a military base on the Nigeria-Cameroon border. At least five soldiers were among the casualties.
In response to the attack, the Nigerian Air Force conducted airstrikes that reportedly resulted in the deaths of 30 militants. This incident follows a concerning increase in jihadist activities in Nigeria’s northeast, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West African affiliate have intensified their operations.
Reports indicate that the attack led to significant destruction in Darul Jamal, with over 20 houses and 10 buses damaged. Additionally, at least 13 drivers and laborers involved in reconstruction efforts in the town were killed. Borno Governor Babagana Zulum visited the site on Saturday, highlighting the tragedy of the community, which had recently begun to return to normalcy after years of displacement.
Governor Zulum expressed concerns about the capability of the Nigerian army to manage the security situation effectively, noting that a newly established group called the Forest Guards is being organized to assist with security in the area. The Nigerian Air Force indicated that surveillance operations showed militants fleeing northward from the town.
The military has ramped up its activities in northeastern Nigeria this year in light of consistent attacks on its forces. Governor Zulum had previously warned of Boko Haram’s resurgence as they have begun to reclaim territory. Borno State has been the focal point of a 15-year insurgency that has displaced over two million people and resulted in more than 40,000 deaths. The situation is further complicated by the withdrawal of troops from neighboring Niger, which had been part of a regional initiative to combat Boko Haram. The group gained global attention in April 2014 due to the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, also in Borno State.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rvxdw52vdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss