ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Boko Haram militants have killed nine people and injured four others in an attack on Malam Fatori, a remote border community in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Local Governments, Sugun Mai Mele, disclosed the incident during a condolence visit to the community.
Although the governor did not specify the exact date of the attack, the confirmation has raised fresh concerns over the escalating violence in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeast.
Malam Fatori, located near Nigeria’s border with Chad, lies approximately 270 kilometers (167 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.
The area has been a frequent target for Islamic extremist groups, particularly Boko Haram, who continue to mount attacks despite repeated claims by the Nigerian military of progress in the fight against terrorism.
During the visit, Mele delivered a stern warning to residents, cautioning them against collaborating with insurgents.
“Anyone found collaborating with the insurgents to bring harm or attack to the people of Malam Fatori will be cursed,” Mele declared. He assured the community that new security measures would be introduced to bolster defenses and reduce the risk of future attacks.
In recent months, a troubling resurgence of Boko Haram activity has reignited fears across Borno and neighboring regions. Extremist fighters have intensified their operations, targeting military outposts, planting explosive devices on roads, and raiding civilian communities under cover of night.
The attack in Malam Fatori follows a deadly bombing in June when a suspected female suicide bomber detonated an explosive in a crowded restaurant in the Konduga area of Borno, killing at least ten people and injuring several others.
The state continues to grapple with insecurity that threatens to undo years of military campaigns aimed at dislodging insurgents from their strongholds.
Despite government efforts, many residents across Borno’s rural communities remain vulnerable to extremist violence, with limited access to security forces and basic infrastructure. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating safety of civilians in the region.
Governor Zulum has called for improved intelligence and military presence to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, locals in Malam Fatori and beyond are left to mourn yet another deadly chapter in the long-running Boko Haram insurgency that has plagued Nigeria for over a decade.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
