Approximately 40 people have lost their lives in Gurokayeya village in the Gaidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria, in suspected attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

The bloodshed unfolded over two consecutive days, with 20 individuals falling victim to the gunmen on Monday, while another 20 lost their lives on Tuesday due to an explosive device believed to have been planted by the insurgents.

Local residents have linked the motive for these brutal killings to the inability of farmers in the community to meet the demands of the insurgents regarding taxes on their harvest.

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According to an eyewitness, the insurgents entered the village between 5 pm and 6 pm, summoned the residents, gathered them at the outskirts, and opened fire on them.

As a result, more than 17 people lost their lives on Monday, while the other 20 fatalities occurred as individuals traveled from Gaidam and neighboring villages to attend the burial of the initial 20 victims.

In a tragic twist of fate, their vehicle drove over an explosive device believed to have been planted by the insurgents, leading to the deaths of 10 individuals on the spot, with another 10 succumbing to their injuries at the Gaidam Primary Health Care Centre where they were rushed following the accident.

Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesperson for the Yobe State Police Command, confirmed both incidents. He referred to the attackers as “gunmen” until further investigations were completed.

Abdulkarim explained that on Monday, October 30, the assailants targeted Gurokayaye village, attacking around 11 pm and causing the tragic deaths of the Village Head and between 17 and 20 other residents.

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Two severely injured individuals were receiving treatment at the Gaidam Primary Health Care Center, while two others were at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu.

He disclosed that on Tuesday, October 31, individuals who had gathered in the village for the burial of the victims drove over a landmine, resulting in the loss of 20 lives.

Abdulkarim described the village as a Boko Haram stronghold, an area where troops had designated as a ‘no-go area.’

The police spokesman offered background information on the incidents, characterizing them as reprisal attacks by suspected insurgents.

He explained that during the harvest season, the insurgents typically roam farming communities to collect Jizya, a tax on farm produce. Recently, they targeted the Tarmuwa region of the state for this tax collection campaign.

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Based on information provided by locals, security forces confronted the insurgents in the area, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

This operation resulted in the death of two insurgents, the arrest of four, and the escape of others with gunshot wounds.

In response, the insurgents launched reprisal attacks on Gurokayaye village in the Gaidam Local Government Area, claiming the lives of numerous innocent people.