Borno State was thrown into mourning on Friday night after Boko Haram insurgents stormed Darajamal community in Bama, killing no fewer than 63 people, including five soldiers and 58 civilians. Many of the civilians were returnees who had only moved back to rebuild their lives two months ago.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the grieving community on Saturday, his face heavy with sorrow as he consoled families who had lost loved ones. He met with local leaders, listened to their cries, and promised support to help them stand strong despite the tragedy.
“It is very sad,” Zulum told reporters. “This community was just resettled a few months ago. People were going about their normal activities before Boko Haram struck again last night. Our visit today is to commiserate with them and to build their resilience.”
The governor confirmed that 63 people had died, stressing that the majority were civilians. He admitted that security forces are overstretched and announced the urgent deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to vulnerable communities. According to him, their role will be to complement the military by safeguarding forests and villages where insurgents often hide.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, also condemned the killings, calling them a crime against humanity. He urged for stronger protection of communities in the region, emphasizing that innocent lives cannot continue to be wasted in this manner.
