UN condemns Borno massacre, urges swift justice for 63 killed in Boko Haram attack

The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of 63 people, including Nigerian soldiers, in a deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Darajamal, a village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, and called for an urgent investigation.

The assault, which took place on Friday night, marks yet another surge in violence in the North-East, where the Boko Haram insurgency has raged since 2009. The conflict has claimed over 35,000 lives and forced more than 2 million people from their homes, according to UN and humanitarian agencies.

In a statement on Sunday, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall expressed outrage over the killings and demanded justice for the victims.

“I am deeply appalled and saddened by Friday’s reported killing of dozens of civilians in Darajamal Village, Bama Local Government Area. Civilians should never be a target,” Fall said.

Preliminary reports suggest more than 50 civilians were killed, while an undisclosed number of residents were abducted. Several others sustained injuries, and at least 28 homes were torched during the raid.

Fall extended condolences to the families of those killed and urged security forces to apprehend the attackers swiftly.

“I call on security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous attack and swiftly bring them to justice. I also call for the immediate release of all those abducted,” he stated.

The UN official described the incident as part of a troubling trend of rising violence in Borno this year, with numerous attacks targeting rural communities, IDP camps, and public spaces using suicide bombings and IEDs. Similar deadly raids have also occurred in Adamawa and Yobe states, hitting farmers, markets, and even health facilities.

The United Nations reiterated its call for all parties in the conflict to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law.

Humanitarian operations in the North-East remain under constant threat, with aid workers among those killed in past attacks.

Despite intensified counter-insurgency campaigns and reported gains by the military, security analysts warn that recurring attacks such as the Darajamal massacre underscore the need for a comprehensive strategy that blends military force with community resilience, deradicalisation, and economic recovery initiatives.