Chibok Under Siege: Rising Boko Haram Attacks Leave Communities in Despair
By Idris Umar
Published: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | 6:14 AM WAT
The Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State is reeling from a series of escalating attacks by Boko Haram terrorists. In the latest assault on Shikarkir community, homes and a church were set ablaze, marking the second attack in 24 hours. The terrorists had previously invaded Bazir village, where two lives were lost, and another church was destroyed.
Rising Insecurity Amidst Escalating Violence
The State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the attack on Bazir but stated he was yet to receive official reports on the Shikarkir incident.
“Normalcy has been restored, and security measures are being reinforced,” Daso assured. “The Commissioner of Police has dispatched officers for intelligence gathering, collaborating with other security agencies to ensure community safety.”
Despite these assurances, the community remains on edge. Mallam Daniel Shikarkir, a victim of the latest attack, shared the harrowing escape of his elderly parents as their home was engulfed in flames. He lamented, “A neighboring village recently suffered a similar fate, displacing the entire community.”
Voices of Desperation
Paul Mauntah Yaga, a concerned resident, took to social media to express his anguish over the deteriorating security in Chibok.
“From Njiland on January 2 to Bazir on January 12, and now Shikarkir, these relentless attacks have left us in fear and uncertainty,” he wrote. Yaga called on Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, to take swift and decisive action.
“Over 1,000 army personnel and 500 local vigilantes are stationed in Chibok Town, yet these attacks persist. Our communities need urgent protection to prevent further devastation,” he emphasized.
Unclaimed Bodies of Slain Farmers in Kukawa
Meanwhile, in a separate tragedy, the bodies of 40 farmers killed in Dumba community, Kukawa LGA, on Sunday remain unrecovered due to inaccessible terrain. Survivors recounted the grim aftermath, with reports suggesting that over 100 lives were lost during the attack.
Auwal Isa, a local source, detailed the military’s six-hour operation to rescue 271 survivors. “Many of these individuals reached safety at the fish dam gate, but they confirmed that over 1,000 people were present in the fields when the attack occurred,” Isa reported.
A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet was seen patrolling the area, yet retrieval efforts remain stalled. Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, redirected inquiries about the recovery operation, stating, “The incident falls under Sector 3 jurisdiction.”
Community Pleads for Protection
The frequency and ferocity of these attacks underscore a critical need for enhanced security measures in Chibok and surrounding regions. As survivors mourn their losses and displaced families seek refuge, the call for decisive leadership and sustained military presence grows louder.
For the embattled people of Borno State, peace remains an elusive dream—one that demands immediate and resolute action from the nation’s leaders and security apparatus.
