Fourteen people have been confirmed dead following a violent attack by Boko Haram militants on Chibok village in northeastern Nigeria. The insurgents, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), set fire to a church and multiple residential buildings, plunging the community into chaos and fear.
The attack began on Sunday afternoon in Tsikarkur, a village a few kilometers from Chibok, where eyewitnesses reported that the militants arrived heavily armed, opening fire on residents and setting homes ablaze. Among the victims were two siblings, adding to the growing list of lives lost in the conflict-ridden region.
The violence continued into the following night when another group of gunmen stormed Zillang, another community in the Chibok Local Government Area. However, early detection by residents allowed them to alert the Nigerian Army. Security forces, alongside local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gunfight that lasted from late evening until the early hours of the morning. Although the number of casualties from this encounter remains unclear, significant damage was inflicted on homes and properties.
Despite the deployment of more than 1,000 military personnel and 500 local vigilantes in Chibok, attacks in the area persist. Residents are increasingly anxious, with community leaders calling for immediate and decisive government intervention to protect lives and restore order.
The Borno State Government has condemned the attacks and announced ongoing investigations. Governor Babagana Zulum has vowed to bolster security in affected communities, while the Nigerian military has intensified operations to prevent further assaults.
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Chibok has remained a symbol of Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insurgency, especially since the 2014 mass abduction of schoolgirls by Boko Haram, which drew international condemnation. The latest attacks serve as a grim reminder of the continued threat posed by extremist groups in the region.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as efforts to stabilize the area continue.
