More than 60 people were killed in an overnight assault by Boko Haram militants on the village of Darul Jamal in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State. The village, which lies on the border with Cameroon, had recently welcomed back residents after years of displacement caused by insurgent violence.
The militants launched their attack late on Friday night, targeting both civilians and security forces stationed in the area. At least five soldiers were reported dead, alongside 13 drivers and labourers who had been assisting with reconstruction efforts in the community. The violence left over 20 homes and 10 buses destroyed, plunging the recently resettled community into fresh tragedy.
Following the assault, the Nigerian Air Force carried out a rapid response operation, striking militant positions and reportedly neutralising more than 30 fighters. Surveillance teams tracked the insurgents fleeing into surrounding bushland before launching three targeted airstrikes.
The governor of Borno State expressed deep concern over the renewed wave of attacks in the region. He acknowledged the challenges facing the overstretched Nigerian military and pointed to the establishment of a new auxiliary security unit, known as the Forest Guards, to support counter-insurgency operations.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly raids by both Boko Haram and rival jihadist factions linked to the Islamic State group. In recent months, communities in the north-east have faced renewed assaults despite intensified military operations aimed at stabilising the region.
Borno State has endured more than 15 years of insurgency, with Boko Haram’s violent campaign displacing over two million people and claiming more than 40,000 lives. At its height in 2015, the group controlled large swathes of territory before being pushed back by Nigerian forces and regional allies. However, the withdrawal of troops from neighbouring Niger earlier this year has complicated joint counter-terrorism efforts, creating fresh security gaps.
The attack on Darul Jamal underscores the continuing volatility of the north-east, where residents attempting to rebuild their lives face constant threats from insurgent groups. Despite government assurances of stronger security measures, the latest killings reveal how fragile resettlement efforts remain in one of Nigeria’s most conflict-stricken regions.
