By our reporter
More than 5,000 residents of Kirawa, a border community in Nigeria’s Borno State, have fled their homes after Boko Haram insurgents launched a violent attack on the town, burning buildings and seizing control. Among those who fled is the village head, District Head Abdulrahman Abubakar, who is now reportedly seeking refuge in neighbouring Cameroon.
The attack occurred during the night, catching residents off guard. Armed militants stormed the town in large numbers, opening fire indiscriminately and setting ablaze key infrastructure. Eyewitnesses report that the insurgents burned down the District Head’s palace, destroyed a military outpost, and torched many homes and shops, leaving the community in ruins.
Local sources confirm that over 3,000 people fled across the border into Cameroon, while others made their way to nearby towns within Nigeria, including Pulka, Gwoza, and Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The sudden influx of displaced persons has triggered a humanitarian concern, as many families are now in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical support.
“This is not the first time we’ve been attacked, but this was the worst,” said a resident who escaped to Cameroon. “They came at night, heavily armed. People just ran in all directions. Some didn’t even have time to take anything.”
Community leaders blame the attack on a growing security vacuum in the region. According to multiple reports, a Multinational Joint Task Force previously stationed in Kirawa had recently withdrawn from the area, leaving only local vigilante groups to defend the town. Their limited capacity to resist well-armed militants meant Kirawa quickly fell into insurgent hands.
The Nigerian military has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, and it remains unclear whether efforts are underway to reclaim the town or provide assistance to those displaced. Meanwhile, Cameroonian authorities are reportedly coordinating with humanitarian agencies to assist the growing number of Nigerian refugees crossing the border.
Kirawa, located on the fringes of the Nigeria-Cameroon border, has long been vulnerable to attacks due to its strategic location. This latest assault highlights the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in rural communities with limited military presence.
The humanitarian fallout continues to grow, with displaced persons expressing fear about returning to their homes. Many say they have lost everything in the attack and are calling on the government to take urgent action to restore security and provide relief.
As Boko Haram steps up its cross-border insurgency, the fall of Kirawa serves as a grim reminder of the fragile security situation in northeast Nigeria and the ongoing plight of civilians caught in the conflict.
