Borno residents, victims of Boko Haram, escape to Cameroon under cover of darkness due to apprehension of impending assaults
Displaced Residents of Kirawa Seek Urgent Government Action Amidst Insecurity and Hardship
Residents of Kirawa, a community in Borno State, have been displaced by Boko Haram insurgents, seeking refuge in villages across the Cameroon border. The displaced persons are enduring harsh and precarious living conditions, often sleeping on roadsides, in mosques, and inside classrooms due to fear of renewed attacks.
The Boko Haram assault on Kirawa occurred on the night of August 7–9, 2025, resulting in the killing of scores of soldiers and the abduction of a schoolgirl, Aisha Muhammad Aja. The displaced residents describe their situation as disturbing and inhumane, exposed to the elements such as heavy rains without adequate shelter, deepening their vulnerability.
Local authorities and residents have appealed urgently for government intervention to restore peace, resettle the community, and provide protection. The District Head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, has called for urgent action, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of these attacks since resettlement. The Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Mabba, has criticized the Nigerian military for disputing the report that they were attacked.
The Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security Matters, Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), has confirmed that the government is aware of the situation and working on it. However, residents accuse the military of diverting attention from the core issues, including protection, the kidnapping, and the attack happening on Nigerian soil.
Aji, a schoolteacher in Kirawa, gave details of the assault, including the kidnapping of Aisha Muhammad Aja and the burning down of the district head's house. Another resident, Atahiru Lawan, stated that almost 80 to 90 percent of the population had fled to Cameroon. One displaced resident, Buba Aji, described the conditions in Cameroon as disturbing and inhumane.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has stated that the Cameroonian base in Kirawa was attacked, not Nigerian troops. This statement has been met with mixed reactions from the residents, who continue to call for immediate action to ensure their safety and the return of the kidnapped girl.
As troops from Cameroon begin withdrawing from border areas, fears of further attacks and kidnappings have increased. The displaced residents are appealing for protection, as they spend their days in Nigeria and return to Cameroon at night to avoid possible midnight attacks. This critical humanitarian and security challenge requires immediate attention and action from the government to ensure the safety and well-being of the displaced residents of Kirawa.
- President Buhari, in light of the crisis in Kirawa, should urgently mobilize the Nigerian Army to secure the border and provide protection for the displaced residents.
- The upheaval in Kirawa has taken a political dimension, with the Kirawa Development Association criticizing the APC government for its perceived inaction and the military for diverting attention from the core issues.
- The war-and-conflicts section of the General News would be heavily focused on the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency, particularly the recent attack on Kirawa that displaced many residents.
- The crime-and-justice sector is relevant, as it includes reports of the kidnapping of Aisha Muhammad Aja and the burning down of homes in Kirawa, which are serious crimes requiring immediate investigation and resolution.
- As the displaced residents of Kirawa seek urgent government action, their plight is a stark reminder of the hardships faced by many Nigerians in the context of insecurity and political instability, a topic often covered in general news.
