Borno State was thrown into mourning on Friday night as Boko Haram terrorists unleashed another wave of bloodshed in Darajamal, a resettled community in Bama Local Government Area, killing no fewer than 63 residents, including five gallant soldiers and 58 civilians.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum stormed the grief-stricken community on Saturday, where he met with survivors, consoled bereaved families, and held closed-door discussions with traditional and community leaders.
The victims, mostly displaced persons recently resettled in Darajamal after months in IDP camps, had only begun rebuilding their lives before the insurgents descended in a midnight ambush, leaving behind trails of sorrow and shattered homes.
Zulum, visibly shaken, condemned the “cowardly and inhumane attack” in the strongest terms, describing it as a stain on humanity and a painful reminder of the insurgency’s ruthless nature.
> “This is not just an attack on innocent people; it is an attack on our collective hope and resilience. We will not relent in supporting our security forces until justice is served,” the governor declared, assuring the people of intensified security measures to prevent further tragedies.
The massacre has once again brought to the fore the lingering insecurity plaguing the North-East, despite military efforts to decimate the insurgents. Analysts fear that Friday night’s attack may embolden Boko Haram cells seeking to disrupt ongoing resettlement programs aimed at restoring normalcy in liberated communities.
As survivors bury their dead under the shadow of trauma, Zulum reaffirmed his government’s commitment to stand by the victims, strengthen community resilience, and intensify counter-terrorism efforts alongside federal forces.
PIONEER NEWS 