KANO – At least nine civilians were killed in northeastern Nigeria during a violent assault by suspected Boko Haram militants in Borno state, local officials confirmed on Friday. The deadly incident is the latest in a string of attacks that underscore the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups in the region.
The assault occurred Thursday evening in the village of Gajibo, located in Dikwa district. According to Rawa Gana Modu, the district’s political administrator, heavily armed insurgents infiltrated the community on foot and opened fire on residents.
“Boko Haram insurgents killed nine people,” Modu said, noting that two of the victims were members of a local anti-jihadist militia who were assisting government forces in protecting the village. He added that several others were injured in the firefight.
Nigeria’s Military Responds Swiftly to Attack in Borno
In response to the assault, troops from the nearby town of Dikwa—just six kilometers away—quickly mobilized to repel the attackers. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which Nigerian soldiers managed to push back the militants. Modu stated that around 10 insurgents were killed during the confrontation.
The attack highlights the ongoing instability in northeastern Nigeria, where Borno state remains a stronghold for both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These jihadist factions have continued to launch coordinated attacks on civilians, security personnel, and infrastructure across Borno and neighboring states.
Communities throughout Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states have suffered greatly from this prolonged conflict. Villagers have been displaced, farmlands destroyed, and lives lost as militants carry out raids, loot properties, and destroy homes. Farmers and fishermen are often targeted, accused by jihadists of collaborating with the Nigerian government.
The humanitarian toll is severe. Many areas lack adequate security, leaving local militias and residents to defend themselves until military support arrives. The Nigerian army, although frequently able to repel attacks, continues to face an uphill battle in securing remote areas.
Elsewhere in Nigeria’s Borno state, the military reported a successful defense against another militant assault. On the same day as the Gajibo attack, jihadists attempted to overrun a military base in Damboa, located roughly 180 kilometers away.
According to a military statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, 16 insurgents were killed in the clash. Nigerian troops, backed by air support from fighter jets, engaged the attackers in a two-hour battle, eventually forcing them to retreat.
The jihadist insurgency in Nigeria began in 2009 and has since claimed over 40,000 lives, displacing nearly two million people. The United Nations has labeled it one of the most protracted and devastating crises in West Africa.
The violence has spilled across borders, affecting neighboring countries such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. These nations have joined forces with Nigeria through a regional military coalition to counter the spread of jihadist groups across the Lake Chad Basin.
Despite significant military campaigns and international support, insurgents remain a serious threat, launching ambushes and spreading fear across large swaths of Nigeria’s northeast. Communities like Gajibo remain on edge, vulnerable to repeat attacks.
Analysts and international partners continue to stress that Nigeria’s fight against extremism must go beyond military solutions. Addressing underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment, poor education, and lack of infrastructure is crucial for undermining the appeal of jihadist groups.
For many residents of Borno and surrounding states, however, peace remains a distant reality. With each new attack, the urgency for a more effective, multidimensional strategy to restore security and rebuild affected communities in Nigeria grows stronger.
