Nigeria: Boko Haram militants kill at least 33 in Yobe state July 14 /update 1

Event

Boko Haram militants loyal to Abu Musab al-Barnawi overran a military base in Jilli village (Geidam local government area, Yobe state) on the evening of Saturday, July 14 (local time), killing at least 33 people and wounding 24 others. Hundreds of Nigerian troops remained missing as of Sunday, July 15, following the attack; though several of the missing soldiers were reportedly accounted for as of Monday, July 16, it is unclear precisely how many remain missing. The death toll from the attack may consequently rise in the coming days. Additional Boko Haram attacks are possible in the country's northeast in the near-term.

Context

The northeastern region of Nigeria is highly susceptible to attacks by Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) in March 2015 and formally adopted the name of Islamic State in West Africa. While Nigerian military forces have pushed Boko Haram insurgents from much of their previously claimed territory over the past year, attacks by the insurgent group have been on the rise since June 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Yobe state are advised to monitor the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Nigeria is complex, and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). It is also advisable to avoid nonessential travel to Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna states. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.