Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Maiduguri, Nigeria — Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed an Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) pastor and four other residents during a deadly attack on Tarfa Village in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, heightening concerns over ongoing insurgent violence in the northeast.
According to local sources, the assailants stormed the rural community on motorcycles at about 7 p.m. on Thursday, firing sporadically, setting homes and shops ablaze and forcing residents to flee into surrounding bushes in panic. Eyewitnesses described a “devastating” assault in which the gunmen operated freely for more than an hour without visible resistance from security operatives.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, confirmed the attack on Friday, with Chairman Most Rev. John Bakeni saying five people lost their lives in the raid, including Pastor Musa Umoru, the local EYN cleric serving the community. Many of the surviving villagers are reported to have escaped from the burning settlement, leaving behind homes and property that were razed during the assault.
“Our people ran for their lives,” one fleeing resident said, appealing for urgent deployment of security operatives to the area to prevent further attacks and protect those who remain at risk. Survivors said the attackers arrived “en masse,” firing indiscriminately and igniting buildings in the once-peaceful village, which lies within a region frequently targeted by Boko Haram and other insurgent elements.
Borno State has been a focal point of the Boko Haram insurgency for more than a decade, with repeated strikes on rural communities causing displacement, loss of life and widespread destruction. The latest incident underscores the persistent threat faced by civilians in remote settlements that remain vulnerable to attacks, often in areas where telecommunications and infrastructure are limited.
Attempts to reach the Borno State Police Command for verification were ongoing at the time of reporting, with the police spokesperson indicating that inquiries were being made to confirm details of the incident.
The deadly raid on Tarfa Village adds to a spate of recent attacks by suspected insurgents that have shattered fragile pockets of peace and heightened calls from residents, traditional leaders and human rights advocates for more robust security presence and sustained protection for vulnerable communities across the northeast.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments