At least 40 individuals lost their lives in Nigeria’s Yobe state between Monday and Tuesday following an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants, who opened fire on villagers and triggered a landmine explosion. This marks the first significant assault on the northeastern state in 18 months, as reported by the police on Wednesday.
The assault occurred around 8:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) on Monday, taking place in Gurokayeya village within the Gaidam local government of Yobe State, according to the state’s police spokesperson, Abdulkarim Dungus.
According to Dungus, armed gunmen launched an attack on villagers, resulting in the death of at least 17 individuals. Additionally, on Tuesday, a landmine explosion took the lives of at least 20 villagers who were returning from burying the victims of the prior assault.
The Islamist group has been responsible for the killings and abductions of villagers in Borno state, which is a region known for militancy and has been the focal point of a 14-year insurgency in Nigeria.
