At least 17 people were killed by jihadist fighters near a town in northeastern Nigeria while collecting firewood, according to eyewitnesses and a local militia group involved in anti-insurgency efforts.
The attack took place near Gwoza, in Borno state, an area that remains under persistent threat from insurgents despite the deployment of troops and its recapture by Nigerian forces in 2015 after it had fallen under the control of Boko Haram.
In recent months, Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have stepped up attacks across the region. Their operations have primarily targeted military bases but have also struck villages, causing significant casualties among both soldiers and civilians. Among those killed in recent attacks were two senior army officers.
A prolonged insurgency
The jihadist insurgency, which has gripped Nigeria for around 17 years, has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced approximately two million people, according to what the United Nations describes as likely underestimates.
Despite ongoing violence, the Nigerian military has reported a series of successful operations in recent days. It said that 30 jihadist fighters were killed in overnight air strikes from Tuesday to Wednesday around Lake Chad.
However, the latest attack underscores the continuing insecurity faced by civilians in the region, particularly in rural areas where daily activities such as gathering firewood can prove deadly.
Source: CNA