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Reports indicate that Boko Haram militants have killed over 60 individuals in a recent overnight assault in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, according to local authorities.
The attack occurred on Friday night in the village of Darul Jamal, which houses a military base along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, resulting in the deaths of at least five soldiers.
In response to the raid, the Nigerian Air Force stated that it conducted airstrikes, eliminating 30 militants after receiving intelligence about the attack on the village, where residents had recently returned following years of displacement.
This incident highlights a resurgence of jihadist activity in northeastern Nigeria, with Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), intensifying their attacks.
Reuters reports that the assault on Darul Jamal led to the destruction of more than 20 houses and 10 buses. Furthermore, at least 13 drivers and laborers involved in reconstruction efforts in the town were killed.
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, who visited the village on Saturday, expressed his dismay, stating to AFP news agency, “It’s very sad, this community was resettled some months ago and they went about their normal business.”
He further noted, “The numerical strength of the Nigerian army is not enough to contain the situation,” and announced that a newly formed Forest Guards unit would be deployed to reinforce security personnel in the troubled region.
Nigerian Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame stated that surveillance revealed militants “fleeing northwards from the town towards nearby bushes” on Friday night.
“In a series of three precise and successive strikes, the fleeing terrorists were decisively engaged, resulting in the neutralisation of over 30 insurgents,” he added.
The military has escalated its operations in northeastern Nigeria this year, responding to persistent targeted attacks on its formations and installations.
In April, Governor Zulum cautioned that Boko Haram was demonstrating a resurgence following a series of attacks and the seizure of control in some parts of the state.
Borno has been at the epicenter of a 15-year insurgency led by the militant group, resulting in the displacement of over two million people and the deaths of more than 40,000.
At its peak in 2015, Boko Haram controlled significant territories within Borno state before being pushed back by military operations.
The fight against the militants has been further complicated by Niger’s withdrawal of its troops from a regional force established to combat the jihadist group.
Boko Haram gained international infamy in April 2014 following the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok, also located in Borno state.
People have no access to tools or machinery to conduct their rescue efforts, Save the Children says.
The group has allegedly carried out murder, rape and other crimes, a UN report says.
It remains unclear how many people died – figures range from two to 1,000.
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