The attack took place in the state of Yobe. Police said the assailants carried out the attack riding some 50 motorcycles

Dozens of individuals have been killed following an attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters on a village in northeastern Nigeria. The attackers, who are believed to be part of the hardline Boko Haram group, set fire to shops and homes during their assault. This incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.

According to Dungus Abdulkarim, a police spokesperson in Yobe State, the attack involved approximately 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). They arrived on more than 50 motorcycles and targeted Mafa ward, leading to significant destruction and loss of life. Abdulkarim noted that the exact number of casualties is still being confirmed.

The assault appears to be in retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes. Yobe State is one of the three states heavily affected by a 15-year insurgency involving Boko Haram and other extremist groups, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 2 million people. These groups have fortified their positions by collaborating with criminal gangs, known as “bandits,” who raid villages, kill residents, abduct people, and burn homes after looting.

Efforts are ongoing to determine the full extent of the casualties in Mafa. Bulama Jalaluddeen reported that at least 81 people were confirmed dead, though the exact figure may be higher. Fifteen bodies were buried by relatives before soldiers arrived for the evacuation of the deceased. Additionally, some victims from nearby villages were also buried by their families before the soldiers could reach the area. Many individuals remain unaccounted for.

A military official, who was part of the team accompanying the commanding officer for Yobe to Mafa, revealed that the route to the village was laced with explosives, which the troops successfully defused. The official reported that 37 corpses were recovered and transported to Babangida General Hospital. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to communicate with the media.

Modu Mohammed, a resident of Mafa, indicated that more residents are missing and estimated the death toll could exceed 100. He also mentioned that some bodies are still in the bush.