In northeastern Nigeria’s Yobe State, a suspected Boko Haram attack has claimed the lives of at least 81 people, with several others still missing. The assault, which took place in Mafa ward on Sunday, was carried out by around 150 militants armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, according to police spokesperson Abdulkarim Dungus.
The militants, arriving on more than 50 motorcycles around 4:00 PM, unleashed chaos, killing many and setting fire to numerous shops and homes. Authorities are still working to confirm the total number of fatalities.
Local officials believe the attack was a retaliatory strike, following the killing of two Boko Haram members by vigilantes in the area.
Bulama Jalaluddeen, a local official, confirmed the death toll, noting that by the time soldiers reached the scene to evacuate the bodies, 15 victims had already been buried by their families. He added that some victims from nearby villages, who were also caught in the attack, had been buried by relatives before the soldiers’ arrival. Many others remain missing, and their fate is still unknown.
This attack is part of a broader 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram and other extremist groups in northeastern Nigeria, which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths. Meanwhile, in central and northwestern Nigeria, criminal gangs, often referred to as “bandits,” continue to terrorize communities, raiding villages, killing, abducting residents, and looting homes. Officials and analysts have noted that militant groups are increasingly collaborating with these gangs to expand their presence in central Niger State.