On Monday night, Kirawa, a border village adjoining Cameroon in the Gwoza local government area of Borno State, came under attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. The assault resulted in the death of one civilian and the abduction of another male resident.
During the raid, the militants set fire to numerous homes, including the residence of Kirawa’s District Head, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abubakar, as well as local shops and other buildings.
Many inhabitants fled across the border into neighboring Cameroonian communities seeking refuge. They praised the crucial intervention of members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters, whose efforts helped repel the attackers and led to the death of one insurgent.
Previously, Kirawa hosted a Cameroonian military outpost, but it was overrun in an assault several months ago. Just three days prior to this latest attack, insurgents ambushed the Kirawa-Pulka Road, killing a Civilian Joint Task Force member and setting six vehicles on fire.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno, confirmed the incident on Tuesday and expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram violence in Kirawa and surrounding areas. He highlighted the frustration felt by many internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had returned to their homes with support from Governor Babagana Zulum.
While acknowledging the dedication of Nigerian military forces combating Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast, Ndume urged defense authorities to increase troop deployments in Kirawa, Ngoshe, Agapalwa, Chikide, and other vulnerable communities to enhance security.
Furthermore, he reiterated his appeal for the federal government and military to intensify the use of advanced technology and equipment-including drones, attack helicopters, and improved arms and ammunition-alongside boosting troop morale. Ndume emphasized that such measures are essential to finally ending the decade-long insurgency that has plagued Borno State, the broader Northeast region, and other affected parts of Nigeria.
