Boko Haram Launches New Attack in Northeastern Nigeria, Dozens Feared Dead
Maiduguri, Nigeria – In a fresh wave of violence, suspected Boko Haram militants attacked several communities in northeastern Nigeria late Sunday night, leaving dozens feared dead and hundreds displaced. According to local sources and security officials, the assault targeted villages in Borno State, a region that has been at the center of the Islamist insurgency for over a decade.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and pickup trucks, opening fire indiscriminately on residents and setting homes ablaze. “They came around midnight, shooting and throwing explosives. Many people were killed, and the entire village was set on fire,” said Ibrahim Musa, a local resident who escaped to the nearby city of Maiduguri.
Preliminary reports suggest at least 35 people were killed, though the number may rise as search and rescue operations continue. Several others are said to be missing, with fears that some may have been abducted by the militants.
Security forces responded to the attack but were reportedly overwhelmed due to the militants’ numbers and firepower. The Nigerian military has since launched aerial reconnaissance missions and deployed reinforcements to the affected areas in a bid to restore order and pursue the attackers.
Boko Haram, designated as a terrorist organization by Nigeria and several international bodies, has waged a brutal insurgency since 2009, aiming to establish an Islamic state in the region. The conflict has led to the deaths of over 35,000 people and the displacement of more than 2 million, according to the United Nations.
Despite government efforts and regional military collaboration, the group continues to carry out deadly raids, bombings, and kidnappings, particularly in remote villages with limited security presence.
Authorities have called for calm and urged residents to report any suspicious activity as investigati
ons continue.
