In the early hours of Sunday, tragedy struck Bamzir village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State as Boko Haram terrorists unleashed terror on the peaceful community. The attack, which occurred around 2:10 am, claimed the lives of two brothers, left one woman injured, and reduced homes and a church to ashes.
The victims, identified as Josiah Pogu Pudza, a Senior Secondary School Two student, and his elder brother, Enoch Pogu Pudza, were laid to rest early Sunday morning. According to local authorities, the terrorists also looted food supplies, livestock, and razed down the auditorium of the EYN LCC church alongside several homes and shops. The tragic event was confirmed in a statement issued by the media team of Chibok Local Government Chairman, Mustapha Madu.
“Our community is devastated”
Mustapha Madu, who attended the burial ceremony and inspected the ruins, expressed profound sorrow over the attack. “This is a dark moment for Bamzir. We have lost two young souls, and our places of worship and livelihood are in ruins,” he stated while addressing mourners and community members.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing night as one of chaos and destruction. “They came when we were asleep and began shooting sporadically,” recounted Esther Yohanna, who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack. “They burnt houses, our church, and left us in fear.”
The grieving community is no stranger to violence. Chibok has been a recurrent target of Boko Haram’s reign of terror, most infamously known for the 2014 abduction of over 200 schoolgirls, an event that captured international attention. This latest attack is yet another grim reminder of the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s Northeast.
Terrorists Expand Their Reach
The assault in Chibok was not the only act of terror over the weekend. In Kebbi State’s Arewa Local Government Area, suspected Lakurawa bandits killed four people, including two telecom workers and a local resident, during the installation of a surveillance mast.
The Kebbi Police Command revealed that the attack occurred on January 10th at a construction site in Gumki village, near the Nigeria-Niger border. According to the police, the victims, including staff of Airtel Communications Nigeria Limited, were ambushed while working on a project for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The deceased were evacuated to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi following swift action by security personnel.
The Kebbi Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, alongside the State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Bashir Lawali, visited the scene and promised to intensify security measures. “We will not relent in our efforts to protect lives and property,” Sani assured reporters.
A Grim Trend of Insecurity
These incidents highlight the broader insecurity troubling Nigeria. Boko Haram, whose insurgency began in 2009, has left thousands dead and displaced millions across the Northeast. Despite repeated claims by the government of military successes, the group continues to carry out attacks, targeting civilians, religious institutions, and infrastructure.
In addition to Boko Haram’s activities, the rise of banditry in the Northwest poses a significant challenge. Armed groups, often referred to as “bandits,” have increasingly attacked rural communities, abducted civilians, and extorted ransom, further straining the country’s security apparatus.
Security experts argue that the porous borders between Nigeria and neighboring countries like Niger exacerbate the problem, allowing terrorists and bandits to move freely. “The lack of adequate border control is a key factor fueling these attacks,” noted Dr. Aliyu Musa, a security analyst. “There must be stronger regional cooperation to address these threats.”
Calls for Government Action
The latest wave of violence has reignited calls for more decisive action from the Nigerian government. Community leaders in Chibok have appealed for enhanced security presence to protect their villages from further attacks.
“We need urgent intervention,” pleaded Pastor Luka Ibrahim of the EYN LCC church. “Our people cannot continue living in constant fear.”
Similarly, in Kebbi, residents of Gumki village have demanded increased surveillance and proactive measures to prevent future tragedies. “The government must act swiftly before more lives are lost,” said Usman Garba, a community elder.
