The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the killing of at least 63 people, including five soldiers, in an attack by Boko Haram fighters on the community of Darajamal in north-east Nigeria.
Zulum visited the village in Bama local government area on Saturday to commiserate with survivors and the families of victims. “It is very sad,” he told reporters. “This community was resettled only a few months ago. They had begun going about their normal activities, but unfortunately they experienced a Boko Haram attack last night.”
According to the governor, nearly 60 civilians and five soldiers were killed in Friday’s assault. The community, which has seen repeated displacement during the 15-year insurgency, was among those where residents had only recently returned to rebuild their lives.
Zulum called for the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to reinforce overstretched military units in protecting vulnerable communities. “The numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere,” he said. “One of the solutions is to deploy the trained Forest Guards to vulnerable locations. They will protect the forests and the communities.”
Kaka Lawan, the senator representing Borno Central, also condemned the killings, describing them as “a crime against humanity” and pledging legislative support for measures to restore security.
The attack underscores the continued threat posed by Boko Haram and its offshoots in Nigeria’s north-east, despite repeated claims by the government that the insurgency has been significantly weakened.
