…Homes torched, villagers abducted, community in grief
The United Nations (UN) has strongly condemned the mass killing of civilians in Darajimal Ward, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, where at least 165 people were reportedly slaughtered in a brutal attack by Boko Haram on Friday.
Nigeria’s Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, in a statement on Sunday, said preliminary reports confirmed that scores of men, women, and children were killed, while an unknown number were abducted, and many fled with injuries. At least 28 houses were also burned in the assault.
“On behalf of the United Nations in Nigeria, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and those affected, and to the Government and people of Borno State. I wish the injured a speedy recovery”, Fall stated.
He described the massacre as “yet another grim reminder” of the escalating violence in Borno and neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states, where civilians – including farmers, fishermen, travelers, traders, and even displaced persons in IDP camps – have increasingly become targets of improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and raids.
Fall urged Nigerian authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and secure the release of abductees. He also called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian and human rights laws, stressing that civilians must never be targets.
But the outrage has gone beyond international condemnation. Local voices have accused the Nigerian government of persistent failure to protect its citizens. “What happened in Darajimal is not just a security failure, it is a failure of governance,” one community leader declared, lamenting that over a decade of bloodshed in Borno continues with little accountability.
“Enough is enough; end the killings. End bad governance. Save our people”, the statement added, reflecting the growing anger of a community that feels abandoned.
The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting people affected by the conflict, but survivors of the Darajimal massacre remain in grief, demanding both justice and urgent protection.
