Boko Haram militants have killed at least 60 people in an overnight attack on the village of Darul Jamal in Nigeria’s Borno State, marking a brutal resurgence of violence in the region. The attack, which also resulted in the deaths of several soldiers and significant destruction, has prompted a military response that neutralized dozens of insurgents.
The assault occurred on Friday night, targeting Darul Jamal, a village near the Nigeria-Cameroon border that hosts a military base. Militants stormed the area, engaging in house-to-house raids that left more than 60 civilians dead, including women and children. Additionally, at least five soldiers were killed in the fighting, highlighting the vulnerability of security forces in the region.
In response to the attack, the Nigerian Air Force conducted a series of airstrikes, killing approximately 30 Boko Haram fighters as they fled towards nearby bushes. Surveillance operations identified the militants’ escape route, allowing for precise strikes that were described as decisive by military spokespersons. This counter-operation is part of intensified efforts by Nigerian forces to combat the growing threat.
Darul Jamal had recently seen residents return after years of displacement due to the ongoing insurgency, making the attack particularly devastating. The village was in the process of reconstruction, with drivers and laborers working on rebuilding efforts; at least 13 of them were among the killed. More than 20 houses and 10 buses were destroyed in the raid, further hampering recovery efforts.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum visited the village on Saturday, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy. He noted that the community had been resettled just months ago and was beginning to normalize life. Zulum emphasized the inadequacy of the Nigerian army’s numerical strength and announced plans to deploy a newly established force called the Forest Guards to enhance security.
The attack underscores a worrying resurgence of jihadist activity in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its rival, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have been stepping up assaults. This region has been embroiled in a 15-year insurgency that has displaced over two million people and claimed more than 40,000 lives. At its peak in 2015, Boko Haram controlled large swathes of territory before being pushed back.
Boko Haram gained international infamy in 2014 with the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, also in Borno State. The group’s persistence is exacerbated by regional challenges, such as Niger’s withdrawal from a multinational force, complicating counter-terrorism efforts. This latest violence signals that the militant threat remains potent and adaptive.
The Nigerian military has vowed to continue its operations, but the attack highlights the ongoing security deficits in the region. Efforts to stabilize and rebuild are constantly undermined by such violence, raising concerns about the long-term viability of peace. International attention and support may be crucial in addressing the root causes and bolstering local security measures to prevent future atrocities.