A tragic attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria has left at least 80 people dead, raising urgent questions about security and international aid.
At a Glance
- At least 80 people dead following an attack by Boko Haram in Yobe state.
- Attack carried out by around 150 terrorists on motorcycles.
- Boko Haram’s insurgency has resulted in over 40,000 deaths in 15 years.
- Increased need for enhanced security measures and international aid.
Deadly Attack in Yobe State
At least 80 people have died and several remain missing after an attack by suspected Boko Haram jihadists in Nigeria’s north-eastern Yobe state. The attack, which occurred around 4 pm in the town of Mafa, involved approximately 150 terrorists armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The attackers arrived on more than 50 motorcycles, devastating the area by killing residents and burning property.
“Around 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades] attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles around 4pm on Sunday,” said Abdulkarim Dungus, a Yobe state police spokesperson, according to Agence France-Presse. “They killed many people and burned many shops and houses. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed in the attack.”
A 15-Year Insurgency
Boko Haram and other jihadist groups have waged a bloody insurgency in north-east Nigeria for the past 15 years. The conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced millions. Communities are in turmoil, facing both immediate and long-term impacts of such consistent violence. Boko Haram’s insurgency began in Nigeria in 2009 and has since spread to neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Humanitarian Crisis
The violence has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing over 322,000 people since 2014. Humanitarian access is difficult, requiring military escorts due to ongoing insecurity. Over 8.3 million people need urgent assistance, 80% of whom are women and children. Jihadist groups have increasingly worked alongside criminal gangs in central and north-west Nigeria, further complicating efforts to provide aid and security.
On December 11, 2020, the completion of a preliminar examination was announced by the Chief Prosecutor of teh International Criminal Court 9ICC). Their investigation into the situation brewing in Nigera concluded that there was enough evidence to believe that there were war crimes as well as crimes against humanity committed by both Nigerian Security forces and Boko Haram.
Central and north-west Nigeria have also been plagued by criminal gangs known as “bandits” who raid villages, kill, abduct residents, and burn homes. These criminal activities are often conducted in collaboration with jihadist groups, making it increasingly difficult to tackle the dual threats of extremism and criminality in the region.
Call for International Support
Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for international partners to push for greater accountability and strengthen the civilian component of efforts to combat Boko Haram. There is also a growing international consensus on the need for enhanced military and humanitarian interventions to address the complex challenges posed by this prolonged insurgency.
“The Nigerian military has allegedly run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion program in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states that has terminated at least 10,000 pregnancies since 2013,” according to an investigation by Reuters.”
While the Cameroonian government claims that the security situation is “under control” and that Boko Haram is “living its last days,” the reality on the ground tells a different story. The insurgency shows no signs of abating, making the need for coordinated international support and stronger security measures more urgent than ever.
