At least 100 villagers were killed in northeastern Nigeria when suspected Boko Haram militants opened fire on a market, worshippers, and homes, according to residents.
The attack occurred Sunday evening in the Tarmuwa council area of Yobe State, where more than 50 extremists on motorcycles stormed the area. They began shooting indiscriminately before setting buildings on fire, Yobe police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim reported.
Boko Haram, known for its violent insurgency to impose its interpretation of Islamic law, is believed to be behind the attack. Since 2009, Boko Haram and its splinter groups have caused the deaths of at least 35,000 people, displaced over 2 million, and sparked a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
Yobe Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana reported a lower death toll of 34, but community leaders contradicted this, stating that 102 villagers were confirmed dead. Zanna Umar, a local leader, noted that many victims were buried before officials arrived, contributing to the discrepancy in numbers.
“This is the first time our community has faced such a devastating attack,” said Buba Adamu, a local chief, expressing grief and fear.
Security analysts criticize Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not taking bold steps to resolve the ongoing conflict. Despite his election pledge to end Boko Haram’s insurgency, the problems of inadequate resources and manpower persist, leaving many regions vulnerable to attacks.
Local media reported that Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was a reprisal for villagers providing information to security forces. The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in Yobe State in the past year.
