At least 23 people, including women and children, were killed on Monday in separate Boko Haram attacks in Chibok and Kala Balge local government areas of Borno State.
In Chibok, gunmen believed to be Boko Haram insurgents opened fire on mourners gathered for a third-day prayer ceremony for a late community leader. The attack occurred around 6:00 p.m., leaving seven men dead and several others injured with gunshot wounds.
Earlier the same day, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge LGA, killing multiple commuters. The IED, suspected to have been planted by terrorists, exploded as vehicles en route to Gamboru Ngala drove over it, approximately 11 kilometers from Rann near the Lake Chad border area.
Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sources confirmed that the blast claimed the lives of at least four women, six children, and an unknown number of men. Three others — a man, a woman, and a child — sustained injuries and were taken to medical facilities in Rann and Gamboru Ngala for treatment.
Kala Balge remains one of the most difficult regions to access due to its remote location, poor road infrastructure, and seasonal inaccessibility during the rains.
During a visit to the region alongside a federal government delegation led by defence officials, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the country’s porous borders. He warned that unless cross-border movements by terrorist groups are controlled, Nigeria will remain vulnerable to repeated attacks.
These latest incidents come just days after 14 farmers and two CJTF members were killed in Gwoza LGA, also near the border areas. On Sunday, 10 CJTF personnel were ambushed and killed by Boko Haram insurgents during a routine patrol between Hawul (Borno) and Garkida (Adamawa).
The wave of violence underscores the persistent threat of insurgency in the region, despite ongoing military operations and government efforts to restore peace.