Suspected Boko Haram Attack Claims Lives, Destroys Village in Borno State

A deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents has left a pastor and four others dead in Tarfa village, Borno State. The assault, which occurred on Thursday evening, also resulted in the widespread burning of homes and shops, displacing many residents.

Sources indicate that the attackers, arriving on motorcycles, opened fire and set buildings ablaze for over an hour, reportedly facing no resistance from security forces during the raid.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, Most Rev. John Bakeni, confirmed the fatalities and destruction. “Truly, there was an attack yesterday evening… I was informed that five people were killed, including the EYN pastor there. The entire village was burnt down,” Bakeni stated.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and devastation, with one resident saying, “They came en masse and started burning houses and shops. People ran for their lives.” A local source identified one of the victims as Pastor Evangelist Musa Umoru and appealed for urgent government security intervention, citing ongoing fear in the community.

When contacted for comment, the Borno State Police Command spokesperson said he was awaiting details on the incident.

This attack highlights the persistent vulnerability of rural communities in Borno State to insurgent violence, raising continued concerns about security in the region’s remote areas.