In a series of devastating attacks by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, over 40 people have been killed across various locations in Borno State, with houses and a church being destroyed.
This comes shortly after the new Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to neutralizing security threats across the country, particularly in the fight against terrorism.
The deadly events unfolded in less than 24 hours, with attacks spread across multiple locations between Kalabalge and Damboa Local Government Areas.
Early on Monday, a bomb planted by the insurgents struck a group of 26 travelers on the Kala-Balge road, en route to Gamboru Ngala in the state’s northeastern region.
According to the Borno State Police Command, the victims were traveling in an Isuzu pickup van when it ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing 26 people, including 16 men, four women, and six children.
The spokesperson for the Borno Police, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, noting that the injured were being treated in a nearby hospital.
“Earlier today at about 12pm, an Isuzu pickup van with registration number XA265KKU drove all the way from Kalabalge area enroute Gamboru Ngala stepped on an IED around Furunduma village. The tragic incident led to the death of 26 persons, which includes 16 males and four females and six children,” Daso said.
Later that evening, around 7pm, another brutal attack took place in Kwaple, a village near Chibok Local Government Area. Terrorists on motorcycles attacked mourners gathered for a funeral, indiscriminately opening fire and killing at least 15 people.
Local sources described the scene as horrific, and several others were reportedly abducted. In addition to the human toll, the terrorists set fire to a local church, the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa church, as well as five houses.
Local authorities have not yet identified the full list of those abducted, as many residents fled the area in fear. Chibok Local Government Chairman, Modu Mustapha, confirmed the attack, calling it a tragic event that added to the growing security concerns in the region.
Earlier this month, Borno’s Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, expressed alarm over the escalating attacks by Boko Haram in the state.
Speaking at a special security meeting, Zulum noted that the frequency of terrorist activity, including daily kidnappings and the displacement of military forces, pointed to a troubling trend where the government was losing ground in the battle against the insurgents.
Zulum’s remarks were echoed by Abdulrahman Bundi, Senior Technical Assistant to the Governor on Print and Digital Communication. Bundi stated that the governor’s concerns were reflective of the gravity of the situation.
He assured that the state was working closely with the federal government to improve the security situation. “The governor has been working with the Federal Government and I can see renewed commitment to end all these things,” Bundi said, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, made a public pledge to enhance the Nigerian Army’s capabilities in the ongoing war against insurgency.
At the opening ceremony of the 2025 Combat Arms Training Week, Oluyede noted that the army would focus on improving the training of troops to address the dynamic security challenges facing the nation. He stressed that the Army’s success in this mission would depend on effective logistics, troop welfare, and the cooperation of other security agencies.
“The lessons learned from the field, along with inter-corps collaboration fostered through this training week, will directly translate into more coordinated and impactful operations,” Oluyede said. He further emphasized the need for innovative leadership and strategic communications to support the military’s efforts in safeguarding national security.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, also addressed the gathering, calling for a multifaceted approach to Nigeria’s growing security concerns, including insurgency, banditry, and communal violence.
