Jihadist assault in Nigeria claims at least 55 lives
In the troubled northeastern region of Nigeria, a brutal attack by the jihadist group Boko Haram has left over 55 people dead and thousands displaced. The town of Darul Jama, near the border with Cameroon, was the scene of this latest atrocity.
On Friday evening, Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde, believed to be in control of an area in northeastern Nigeria, led a deadly militant attack on a recently resettled village in Borno State. The attackers fired indiscriminately at people and set houses on fire, causing widespread terror and destruction.
Reports suggest that at least 55 people were killed, including six soldiers. An employee of an international aid organization reported 64 dead, a number that has not been officially confirmed by the army, who have made no official statement regarding the attack.
The town of Darul Jama is home to a military base, making it a strategic target for Boko Haram. The group, which initially carried out attacks in Nigeria in 2009, has since spread to neighbouring countries Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.
In 2016, the jihadist group Islamic State - West Africa Province (ISWAP) split from Boko Haram, adding a new dimension to the ongoing conflict. Both groups have been engaged in a bloody power struggle since the split.
Malam Bukar, a resident of Darul Jama, fled the town with his family after the attack. He spoke of the terror he experienced, saying, "We ran for our lives when we heard the gunshots. We didn't know where to go, we just ran."
The attack is another tragic reminder of the ongoing violence in northeastern Nigeria. Since 2009, more than 40,000 people have been killed, and around two million have been displaced from their homes, according to the UN.
The people of Darul Jama are now left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives, while the world watches and hopes for an end to this senseless violence.
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