Toye Faleye with Reuters
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: At least 25 people were killed when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a town in northern Nigeria, according to relatives of the victims. This is the deadliest Islamist attack reported since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Christmas Day.
The victims were labourers who had gone to Sabon Gari in Borno State to work at a construction site. On Thursday, gunmen arrived and opened fire, according to relatives Hassan Usman and Auwal Isa, who spoke to Reuters.
Aliyu Ndume, the senator representing the area, said he was “shocked and saddened” by the deaths of his constituents.
In another attack on Thursday in Borno, fighters launched a pre-dawn assault on an army base, killing at least nine soldiers and two members of a civilian task force. Sixteen others were wounded.
Borno remains the center of the 17-year Islamist insurgency, with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters increasing attacks on military convoys and civilians.
Nigeria, which has faced frequent Islamist attacks and mass kidnappings, is under more pressure to restore security after Trump accused the country last year of not protecting Christians. U.S. forces targeted what they called terrorist sites on December 25. Nigerian officials say they are working with Washington to improve security.
