At least 63 people, including five soldiers and 58 civilians, have been killed in a fresh Boko Haram attack on Daral-Jamal, a community near the Bama-Banki road in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest axis.
The terrorists stormed the town on Friday night, arriving on motorbikes and firing assault rifles at residents.
More than 20 houses, vehicles, and food stores belonging to recently resettled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were burnt in the attack.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited Daral-Jamal on Saturday to commiserate with bereaved families and condemned the killings in strong terms.
He described the massacre as “very sad,” stressing that the community had only been resettled a few months ago.
“Our visit is to commiserate with them and build resilience. We have confirmed 63 deaths about 60 civilians and five soldiers,” Zulum told reporters.
The governor acknowledged the military’s overstretch and called for the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to vulnerable locations across the state.
“They will protect forests and communities where the army cannot cover,” he said.
The Senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, also condemned the killings, describing them as crimes against humanity.
He pledged legislative support for the state government in restoring peace.
Families Devastated
Residents recounted how the militants struck around 8:30 pm, shooting at anyone in sight.
“They came shouting, shooting everyone.
When we returned at dawn, bodies were everywhere,” said Malam Bukar, who escaped with his family.
Many of the victims were families recently relocated from the Government Secondary School displacement camp in Bama, which was closed earlier this year.
“The government told us we would be safe here. Now we are burying our people again,” lamented Hajja Fati, a grieving mother.
Military, Air Force Reactions
The Nigerian Air Force later claimed it killed 30 terrorists during a gun battle alongside ground troops.
However, residents insist the civilian death toll remains devastating.
Security sources said the raid was led by notorious Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde, who controls the area.
Resurgence of Terrorism in Northeast
The attack underscores the resurgence of jihadist groups in the northeast.
According to Good Governance Africa (GGA), the first half of 2025 recorded over 300 jihadist attacks that killed about 500 civilians, mostly by ISWAP, which has grown stronger than Boko Haram.
ISWAP reportedly overran at least 17 Nigerian military bases within the period, using drones, night raids, and foreign fighters.
Analysts warn that worsening poverty and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s government are fueling recruitment for armed groups.
Boko Haram’s insurgency, launched in 2009, has left more than 40,000 dead and displaced over two million people in northeast Nigeria.
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