Mafa massacre: Mass burial held for 34 victims of Boko Haram attack in Yobe

34 bodies recovered after an assault by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the Mafa community of Yobe State were laid to rest on Tuesday.

This attack, which occurred on Sunday, is considered the most severe in the state since the Boko Haram insurgency began 14 years ago.

The Yobe State Government organized a mass burial ceremony, led by the state’s deputy governor, Idi Barde-Gubana, who also led the funeral prayers.

During the ceremony, he extended his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged that the state government would work with the federal government to establish a military presence in the region to prevent future attacks. He also instructed the state emergency management agency to ensure that those displaced by the attack and the injured receive proper care in camps and medical facilities.

Ali Abdullahi, a physically disabled resident and eyewitness, shared his account of the attack, noting that while many lost their lives and several shops were destroyed, he survived due to his condition. “It was Boko Haram that came to our community and killed several people. When they saw I had a disability, they asked me to go back,” he said. Another resident, Zanna Umar, suggested that the death toll could be as high as 125, with 34 buried on Tuesday, and others already buried or scheduled for burial.

The Yobe State Government also contributed ₦30 million to support the affected families. The deputy governor emphasized the administration’s commitment to collaborating with security forces to enhance security measures in the region.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 87 people. The terrorists struck Mafa town around 4 pm on Sunday, killing residents and burning homes and shops. ISWAP admitted to the attack in a letter written in Arabic, stating that the village was targeted for allegedly providing information to the military, leading to the deaths of their members.