Abuja (Nigeria), September 7 (Udaipur Kiran): A brutal attack by Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria has claimed at least 63 lives in Darul Jamal village, Borno State. The victims include 58 civilians and 5 soldiers, officials confirmed. Militants also set fire to houses, leaving many displaced families devastated once again.

According to reports, the attack took place late on Friday night around 9 pm (local time). The assailants stormed the village, killing dozens of people and injuring many others. Survivors said several residents managed to escape as the attackers went on a rampage, torching homes and brutally murdering villagers.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the site on Saturday evening and confirmed the death toll. He expressed condolences to the grieving families and met community leaders. “This is a very tragic incident. The community had only resettled a few months ago and was trying to rebuild its normal life, but sadly they were targeted again last night by Boko Haram militants,” Zulum said.

Darul Jamal had recently been resettled by internally displaced people (IDPs) who had earlier fled Boko Haram violence. The victims were among those who returned just two months ago, hoping for safety.

Boko Haram, founded in 2009 by local jihadists opposing Western education, has been responsible for widespread violence and displacement in Nigeria. After the death of its notorious leader Abubakar Shekau in 2021, the group split into two factions — one allied with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which usually targets the military, and the other, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), which frequently attacks civilians for ransom and looting.

This latest massacre highlights the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram factions in Borno State despite ongoing military operations.