A recent and brutal terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on the Darajamal community, also referred to as Darul Jama, in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, has claimed the lives of at least 60 to 70 people, including civilians and six soldiers. The assault, believed to have been led by Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde’s faction, occurred late on a Friday, with attackers arriving on motorbikes, opening fire indiscriminately, and setting homes ablaze. Reports indicate that over 20 to 28 houses and 10 buses were destroyed, and an unknown number of residents were abducted, while others sustained injuries and fled. The tragic incident is particularly poignant as many of the victims were displaced families who had only recently returned to their ancestral homes after years of conflict, having been relocated from a government-run displacement camp in Bama.

Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed profound condolences to the government and people of Borno State, as well as the Nigerian military, following the attack. He reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the Armed Forces to review and strengthen security operations nationwide, including the deployment of advanced military hardware and surveillance equipment to combat terrorist groups effectively. VP Shettima conveyed confidence in the Armed Forces' ability, citing President Tinubu’s approval for acquiring additional drones and a directive for all security agencies to intensify and review operational strategies. He also highlighted the federal government’s consideration for establishing state police, emphasizing the need for specialized security units with local terrain and cultural understanding, and assured Borno State and affected communities of continued federal support. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had visited Darajamal community on Saturday to console the affected families.

However, the attack has reignited criticism regarding Nigeria’s policy of closing displacement camps and returning civilians to volatile regions still susceptible to militant activity. Residents claim they had informed the military three days prior to the attack but received no assistance, stating that the fighters overwhelmed the soldiers. Many survivors lamented that the government had assured them of safety upon their return, only for them to face further devastation.

The United Nations has also condemned the heinous attack, with its Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, describing the incident as “deeply appalling and saddening.” Mr. Fall stressed that civilians should never be targets in conflict and called on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice, demanding the immediate release of all those abducted. He extended condolences to the victims' families, the people of Borno State, and the Nigerian government, while reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting people affected by the conflict and complementing government response efforts. The long-standing insurgency by Boko Haram, and its splinter group the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), has lingered for nearly two decades in the North-east, causing over 40,000 deaths and displacing more than two million people. The first half of 2025 reportedly saw a surge in violence, with approximately 300 attacks, mostly by ISWAP, killing around 500 civilians.