Mass Burial Held for 34 Victims of Boko Haram Attack in Yobe Village

On Tuesday, a somber mass burial was held for 34 villagers from Mafa in Yobe State, who were brutally killed by Boko Haram terrorists in an attack on Sunday. The victims were laid to rest in Babangida, the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area, amid grief and mourning.

Although local residents claimed that over 100 people were killed in the attack, the Yobe State government confirmed the death toll as 34. The bodies were recovered during a search-and-rescue operation led by the Nigerian Army, with assistance from local vigilante groups. Villagers also reported finding 86 bodies in surrounding communities, raising concerns about the true scale of the massacre.

The burial was organized with the help of volunteers from the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Babangida Division, under the supervision of Divisional Secretary Garba Bulama Kachallah. These volunteers prepared the bodies for burial, providing a dignified farewell for the victims.

The Yobe State Police Command had earlier confirmed the attack but had yet to determine the exact number of casualties. The police spokesman, Dungus Abdulkarim, stated that many villagers were killed and numerous homes were destroyed during the raid, which took place around 4 p.m. on Sunday. “We have yet to ascertain the number of lives lost,” Abdulkarim said, adding that reports of the attack were brought to the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Station by local residents.

According to witnesses, the heavily armed insurgents stormed the village on more than 50 motorcycles, causing widespread devastation. The attackers also left behind fliers with Arabic inscriptions, further heightening fears among the villagers.

In response to the tragedy, Yobe State Deputy Governor Idi Gubana visited the affected community on Tuesday, leading a state delegation to offer condolences and support. Gubana announced that the state government had provided N30 million in assistance to the families of the victims. He also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to supply shelter and food to those who lost their homes in the attack.

Gubana emphasized the urgent need for increased security in Mafa, which is located near the border of Borno and Yobe states. He noted that Governor Mai Mala Buni had already met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to discuss measures for ensuring sustainable security in the area. “The deployment of sufficient troops in Mafa would prevent future attacks in this crucial trade hub,” the deputy governor said.

Brigadier-General Dahiru Abdulsalam, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Buni, disputed claims that the death toll was higher than reported. “The figure is 34 people found dead, while five others sustained injuries—four of them critically,” he stated, dismissing any higher numbers as rumors.

The attack has plunged the entire Tarmuwa Local Government Area into deep mourning, with both local and state leaders expressing their grief and outrage. Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan issued a statement condemning the violence and extending his condolences to the families of the victims and the Yobe State government. “I call on the security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators of this heinous act and bringing them to justice,” Lawan said.

Lawan also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission to provide immediate medical assistance and relief to the injured and displaced residents of Mafa. He encouraged the people of Tarmuwa to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities to prevent further attacks.