In late October 2023, two terrorist attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram occurred in Yobe State, Nigeria a day apart, killing at least 37 people and injuring 7.

Prelude

Attacks

First attack

On 30 October, militants raided the Gurokayeya village on motorbikes at around 19:30 GMT and shot at villagers sporadically, killing at least 17. ^{[1] [2]} A resident of the village and an anti-jihadist militia stated that the attack occurred when villagers refused to pay an illicit tax to the terrorists. The shooting was the first deadly attack in Yobe State in over a year. ^{[3] [4]}

Second attack

On 31 October, a day after the shooting in Gurokayeya, at least 20 mourners were killed when their vehicle drove over a landmine. ^{[5] [6]} The victims were returning from the burial services of the people killed in the previous attack. ^[7] The vehicle that was attacked carried 22 men from the neighboring Karabiri village. A member of an anti-jihadist militia stated that, “There were fears the terrorists could return and disrupt the funeral, but the people insisted on burying the dead.” ^[5]

Casualties

The first attack killed at least 17 people and wounded five others, according to Gremah Bukar, a member of an anti-jihadist militia. ^[3] The second attack killed 20 people and severely injured two others. Ten people died immediately while another ten died at a health center after they were rushed to it to be treated. ^[8] The injuries of the two survivors were so severe that the hospital they were being treated in was making arrangements to transfer them to Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu. ^[3]

Reactions

The Yobe State government summoned an emergency security meeting over the attacks. In it, they blamed extremists who entered the state from the neighboring Borno State and started to study reports on the infiltration in order to prevent future attacks. Security agencies also deployed men to the site of the attacks, according to a Yobe State government security aide. ^[3]

A resident of the village described the attack as one of Boko Haram's most horrific in recent times, stating that, “For a burial group to be attacked shortly after the loss of their loved ones is beyond horrific.” ^[8]

References