At least 25 people have been killed in a deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria, marking the deadliest reported Islamist assault since U.S. air strikes were carried out on Christmas Day.
The attack happened on Thursday in Sabon Gari town, located in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. According to relatives of the victims, the people killed were labourers who had travelled to the area to work at a construction site. Gunmen reportedly stormed the town and opened fire on the workers without warning.
Relatives of the victims said the attackers arrived suddenly and carried out the shooting before fleeing the area. Local authorities are yet to release an official death toll, but family members confirmed that at least 25 people lost their lives.
Senator Aliyu Ndume, who represents the region, expressed shock and sadness over the killings, saying the victims were his constituents and innocent civilians trying to earn a living.
On the same day, another attack was reported elsewhere in Borno State. Militants launched a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian army base, killing at least nine soldiers and two members of a civilian task force that supports the military. Sixteen others were injured during the attack.
Borno State remains the centre of Nigeria’s long-running Islamist insurgency, which has lasted for about 17 years. Armed groups linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increased attacks on military targets and civilians in recent months.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, including Islamist violence and mass kidnappings. The situation has drawn international attention, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Nigeria last year of failing to protect Christians. Following that accusation, U.S. forces carried out air strikes on what they described as terrorist targets on December 25.
Nigerian authorities have said they are working closely with the United States and other partners to improve security and restore stability in the affected regions. However, the latest attacks highlight the ongoing threat posed by militant groups and the continued danger faced by civilians in northern Nigeria.
