Boko Haram Massacre Leaves 63 Dead in Nigerian Town

Photo: Collected

At least 63 people, including five soldiers, were killed when Boko Haram fighters stormed the town of Darul Jamal in northeastern Nigeria on Friday night, Borno state governor Babagana Zulum confirmed.

The town, located near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, hosts a military base and had recently welcomed back families resettled from displacement camps. Witnesses said dozens of militants on motorbikes opened fire indiscriminately and set homes ablaze.

“It is very sad. This community was resettled some months ago. As of now, 63 lives have been lost—both civilians and soldiers,” Governor Zulum said. He added that the army’s numbers were insufficient and a newly created Forest Guards force would bolster security.

Survivors described the attack as brutal. “They came shouting, shooting everyone in sight,” said Malam Bukar, who escaped with his family. Another resident, Hajja Fati, who lost her brother, lamented: “The government told us we would be safe here. Now we are burying our people again.”

The Nigerian air force later claimed it killed 30 militants during clashes with ground troops, though local accounts report a higher civilian toll.

Darul Jamal is believed to be under the control of Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde, who reportedly led the assault.

Boko Haram has waged a bloody insurgency since 2009, killing around 40,000 people and displacing more than two million. Though jihadist violence had waned in recent years, attacks have surged again. Rival Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) has gained ground, overrunning military bases and expanding operations.

A recent report by Good Governance Africa recorded 300 jihadist attacks in the first half of 2025, leaving around 500 civilians dead. Analysts warn that stretched security forces and economic hardship are fuelling the insurgency’s resurgence.