Sabon Gari, Borno State, Nigeria — In one of the most brutal attacks in recent years, suspected Boko Haram militants have killed at least 25 people in Sabon Gari, Borno State, in what officials and residents are calling the deadliest Islamist assault since last year’s U.S. air strikes on insurgent camps.
The majority of the victims were hard-working labourers who had travelled to Sabon Gari earlier this week to work on a construction site — just trying to earn a living for their families when the gunmen descended on them.
Relatives of the victims described scenes of terror and heartbreak as the attackers opened fire without warning. Local leaders and community members are in shock, mourning loved ones lost in an attack that once again underscores the human cost of ongoing insecurity in northeastern Nigeria.
Military and Community Members Also Targeted
In a related assault in the same area, extremists reportedly attacked a military base, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) — volunteer neighbours who join alongside the Nigerian military to defend their communities.
While official casualty figures from the base assault vary, local sources say that many security personnel were killed or injured, and vehicles and equipment were destroyed before the militants withdrew.
A Region at the Centre of a Long-Running Insurgency
Borno State remains the epicentre of the Islamist insurgency that began more than 15 years ago, driven by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Thousands of civilians have been killed, millions displaced, and communities have struggled to rebuild in the face of repeated attacks.
Senator Aliyu Ndume, whose constituency includes Sabon Gari, expressed deep sadness and called on the military to intensify operations to protect civilians and restore peace in the region.
What This Means for Nigeria
This attack is a painful reminder that development efforts in northeastern Nigeria are still under threat from violent extremist groups. Ordinary Nigerians — from construction workers to soldiers and community volunteers — continue to pay the highest price in the fight for security and progress.
As families mourn and the nation watches, questions are again being raised about how Nigeria can strengthen its security operations, protect its citizens, and support long-term peace in its most vulnerable regions.
