By Francis Ajuonuma
The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of 63 people in Darajamal, Borno State, insisting that Nigerian authorities must urgently investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The latest assault, blamed on Boko Haram insurgents, has once again exposed the fragile state of security in the North-East and reignited concerns about the protection of resettled communities.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, in a strongly worded statement on Sunday, said the scale of civilian casualties underlined a disturbing escalation of violence in Borno.
He described the deliberate targeting of civilians as unacceptable and a violation of international humanitarian law.
“I am deeply appalled and saddened by Friday’s reported killing of dozens of civilians in Darajamal Village, Bama Local Government Area, in Borno State in north-east Nigeria. Civilians should never be a target!” Fall declared.
Preliminary UN reports confirmed that more than 50 civilians were killed during the Friday night raid, while several others were abducted and dozens sustained injuries.
At least 28 homes were also torched in the coordinated attack.
Fall added, “I call on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack and swiftly bring them to justice. I also call for the immediate release of all those abducted.”
The UN noted that the Borno killing was not an isolated incident but part of a grim pattern of renewed insurgent violence across the northeast.
The global body cited recent deadly attacks against farmers, fishermen, traders, IDPs, and even health centres and grain markets in Adamawa and Yobe States.
“This recent killing of civilians is yet another grim reminder of the toll of rising violent attacks and insecurity in Borno State this year,” Fall stressed. “Multiple attacks against civilians have been recorded, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Borno alone.”
The UN reiterated its call on all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and their property, and ensure that displaced populations are not returned to danger zones prematurely.
*Borno Governor, lawmakers react
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who visited Darajamal on Saturday, said the attack had left the community in shock, especially as residents had only recently returned from IDP camps.
“We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that has claimed the lives of many people. It is very sad,” Zulum told journalists, describing the massacre as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
He confirmed that 63 people were killed, including five soldiers, and called for the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to reinforce the overstretched military.
The Senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, described the killings as a crime against humanity and pledged legislative support for stronger security measures.
Residents recounted that the attackers stormed the community on motorbikes around 8:30 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and torching homes.
“They came shouting, shooting everyone in sight. When we returned at dawn, bodies were everywhere,” a survivor, Malam Bukar, said.
Another resident, Hajja Fati, who recently resettled after Bama’s IDP camp was shut, lamented, “The government told us we would be safe here. Now we are burying our people again.”
Security sources told AFP that notorious Boko Haram commander, Ali Ngulde, led the raid.
Despite claims of progress against Boko Haram and its rival, ISWAP, analysts warn that jihadist groups are staging a resurgence.
Good Governance Africa (GGA) reports indicate that in the first half of 2025 alone, some 300 jihadist attacks claimed at least 500 civilian lives and overran 17 military bases, aided by drones and night-time raids.
The deteriorating security outlook has been compounded by the Niger Republic’s withdrawal from a multinational task force and Nigeria’s own military overstretch due to banditry in the northwest.
The UN reaffirmed its commitment to support Nigeria in responding to the humanitarian crisis but warned that without accountability and stronger civilian protection, tragedies like Darajamal will continue to undermine recovery efforts.
