UN condemns killing of 63 People in Boko Haram attack on Borno Community

The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of 63 people, including five soldiers and 58 civilians, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

The attack, which occurred on Friday in Darajamal, a community along the Bama-Banki Road in the Sambisa Forest, also left several people injured and many others abducted.

The insurgents reportedly razed over 20 houses, vehicles, food supplies, and other valuables belonging to resettled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

In a statement, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, expressed deep sorrow over the attack and urged security authorities to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“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. Civilians should never be a target!” Fall said.

He added that preliminary reports indicate over 50 civilians were killed, with others abducted or injured, and at least 28 houses burned. The number of casualties is expected to rise as more details emerge.

Fall extended condolences to the victims’ families, the Borno State Government, and its people, calling for the immediate release of those abducted. He described the attack as a grim reminder of escalating violence in Borno, where hundreds of civilians have been killed this year in targeted assaults, including on IDP camps, farmers, fishermen, and traders.

Similar deadly attacks have also been reported in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states, where health centres, grain stores, and markets have been targeted.

Fall reiterated his call for all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian and human rights law, assuring that the UN remains committed to supporting communities affected by conflict in partnership with the government.