Borno Under Siege: 40 Killed in Devastating Boko Haram Attacks as Calls for Federal Intervention Grow

Borno State has once again become the epicenter of Boko Haram’s violent resurgence, as a series of coordinated attacks within a 24-hour period left at least 40 people dead and several others injured. The brutality of the assaults has reignited concerns over Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, with both state and federal leaders calling for urgent action.

On Monday afternoon, the first tragedy struck along the Kala-Balge road when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing 26 travelers en route to Gamboru Ngala. The victims included 16 men, four women, and six children. The blast, suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents, left survivors wounded and in need of urgent medical attention.

According to ASP Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, “The tragic incident led to the death of 26 persons… the injured were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.” The road where the attack occurred is a known hotspot for insurgent activities, highlighting the dangers civilians face daily in their attempts to travel within the region.

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Funeral Attack Deepens the Tragedy

Just hours after the IED blast, another harrowing attack unfolded in Kwaple, a village near Chibok, around 7:00 p.m. Boko Haram gunmen stormed a funeral ceremony, opening fire on mourners and killing at least 15 people. Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and executed the raid with chilling precision, continuing their assault for nearly an hour without intervention from security forces.

Modu Mustapha, Chairman of the Chibok Local Government Area, confirmed the incident, saying, “The terrorists attacked during a funeral, a lot of people were killed.”

Eyewitnesses added that a church and five houses were torched, and several villagers were abducted in the process. “It was a horrific experience… the community is in shock,” a local resident told reporters.

Governor Zulum Raises Alarm on Escalating Insecurity

The latest bloodshed adds weight to recent warnings by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, who has consistently expressed concern over the deteriorating security landscape. In a recent address, the governor decried the increasing frequency and boldness of terrorist attacks across the state.

“It is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities are almost on a daily basis without confrontation,” Zulum said. He urged the Federal Government to deploy additional resources, including advanced surveillance technologies, to bolster the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the region.

Zulum’s Senior Technical Assistant, Abdulrahman Bundi, echoed these sentiments, stating that the state is collaborating with federal agencies and has begun equipping local vigilante groups and Civilian Joint Task Forces (CJTF) with tools necessary to support military efforts. “We need every possible resource to ensure peace is restored in Borno,” Bundi emphasized.

Nigerian Army Promises Enhanced Response

As fears mount over the capacity of existing security infrastructure, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and adapting to the dynamic threats posed by insurgents.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Combat Arms Training Week in Bauchi, Gen. Oluyede outlined measures aimed at improving troop readiness, emphasizing logistics, innovation, and inter-agency collaboration. “This will be done by infusing necessary capabilities into our training schedules to better prepare them to adapt to dynamic situations,” he said.

Oluyede noted that combat readiness requires more than boots on the ground—it demands a strategy that includes improved communication, upgraded equipment, and a focus on troop welfare. He also pledged closer coordination with other security bodies, including the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

“This training week is not just doctrinal; it is a practical effort to enhance synergy and translate lessons from the field into more coordinated operations,” he added.

Experts Call for Multifaceted Approach

Major General Obinna Ajunwa, Commander of the Armoured Corps, emphasized the importance of joint operations in combating insurgency, especially in the volatile North East and North West. His remarks supported this year’s training theme, ‘Strengthening Combat Arms Cooperation in a Joint Environment: A Prerequisite for Success in Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations’.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, emphasized the importance of combining both military (kinetic) and non-military (non-kinetic) approaches to achieve lasting peace. “The current security challenges are complex and dynamic. They demand multidimensional strategies and stronger synergy among security stakeholders,” he stated.

A Nation on Edge

The Borno attacks have once again underscored the harsh reality for communities in insurgency-prone regions. With residents in mourning, homes destroyed, and communities living in fear, there is a growing consensus that Nigeria’s current approach must evolve.

As security forces and political leaders work to formulate more effective strategies, the people of Borno continue to pay the highest price in a war that has dragged on for over a decade. Whether the current military reforms and state-federal collaborations will bring lasting change remains to be seen, but for now, the urgency is clear: Borno needs decisive, immediate, and sustainable action to end the cycle of violence.