Tragedy struck in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday night as Boko Haram terrorists reportedly killed over 60 people in a coordinated assault on the village of Darul Jamal. The attack, which began around 9:00 p.m., continued until daybreak, targeting unsuspecting residents who had only recently been resettled in the area. The victims were largely internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had been moved from a government camp and returned to their homes, with promises of enhanced security from state authorities.
Residents and authorities confirmed the attack, which saw militants arrive on motorbikes, indiscriminately shooting and setting homes ablaze. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who visited the community the following day, confirmed that over 60 people had died and pleaded with the residents not to abandon their homes again. The attack underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast and raises critical questions about the government’s push to close IDP camps and resettle people in areas still prone to insurgent activity.
The assault was described as highly coordinated and targeted. According to local sources and accounts to news agencies, the attackers went house-to-house, killing men and destroying property. More than 20 houses and ten buses were reportedly burned down, and many residents are still missing. The attack has been attributed to a Boko Haram commander named Ali Ngulde, who is believed to control the area, with some sources claiming the military had been warned about a potential attack but failed to send reinforcements.
The attack has ignited fresh fears among the resettled population, many of whom had only recently returned after years of displacement. One resident, Kaana Ali, stated he was leaving the community for good after confirming the deaths of close friends. This latest incident is part of a broader resurgence of violence by Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISIL (ISIS) affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which has seen an increase in activity in the first six months of 2025, with hundreds of attacks and civilian deaths recorded.
