Terrorists raided Kubuku village in Borno State on Friday, killing a retired Nigerian soldier and abducting several residents.
Residents in Kubuku, a quiet rural spot southwest of Biu in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area, woke up to chaos when terrorists launched their assault just a short drive from nearby Peze.
One local described the horror simply: “There was another attack a few minutes’ drive from Peze, at Kubuku, where a retired military officer was killed.
Some other persons were also kidnapped.”
The exact number of those taken and their identities remain unclear, but the strike has left the community reeling from fear and loss.
This raid fits into a troubling pattern of escalating terrorist violence across Borno, where groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to target vulnerable areas.
Just days earlier, terrorists overran Ngoshe town in Gwoza district, killing at least 14 soldiers and a local imam while abducting dozens of women and children.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing the region, called the civilian deaths there “massive,” though exact figures are hard to pin down amid the confusion.
Meanwhile, in Konduga and Jakana, terrorists hit military bases, burning camps and seizing weapons, as shown in chilling videos circulating online.
The Nigerian Army pushed back hard, repelling some attacks and neutralizing terrorists in the process.
But the toll has been heavy.
On Friday, the military held a somber burial for soldiers lost in recent clashes at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar honored them, saying, “They gave their lives in devotion to a cause greater than themselves.”
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum echoed that sentiment, promising ongoing support for the troops and affected families.
In response, the federal government stepped up its game.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced deployments of tactical assets and intelligence reinforcements to hot zones, vowing that terrorists won’t derail the nation’s peace.
Yet, on social media, frustration boils over.
Users question security gaps, with one asking, “What are security doing?” and another predicting official denials.
As operations ramp up to chase down fleeing terrorists and rescue captives, communities like Kubuku hope for a break from the relentless fear.
But with attacks showing no signs of slowing, many wonder when true safety will return to Borno’s countryside.
