By Atoyebi Nike
Residents of Kirawa in Borno State have been forced to cross into Cameroon each night for safety following a deadly Boko Haram attack that left the community without Nigerian military presence.
The assault, which occurred on Saturday, claimed the lives of several soldiers and led to the abduction of a schoolgirl. Villagers say they now spend their days in Nigeria but retreat to Cameroonian border towns at night, sleeping in mosques, classrooms, and on streets to avoid further violence.
District Head Abdulrahman Abubakar described the situation as unprecedented since the town’s resettlement years ago, urging urgent government intervention to restore security and resettle displaced residents.
“We cannot sleep with both eyes closed,” he said. “Our people now live between two countries, with no protection from Nigerian soldiers.”
Witnesses, including schoolteacher Buba Aji, confirmed that only Cameroonian troops from the Joint Task Force had been stationed in Kirawa before the attack and that communication was hindered by language barriers.
Residents also criticized the military’s claim that the assault targeted a Cameroonian base, arguing that the incident occurred on Nigerian soil and directly affected locals.
With an estimated 80-90 percent of Kirawa’s population now sheltering in Cameroon without aid or shelter, community leaders are appealing for immediate deployment of Nigerian forces to prevent further attacks and secure the release of the kidnapped girl.
