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A deadly Boko Haram raid in Yobe has left four soldiers dead and a nation wondering whether the insurgency can still be contained. As leaders urge prayer, many Nigerians ask more complex questions about strategy and hope.

KEY POINTS:
  • Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base in Katarko village, Yobe State, killing four Nigerian soldiers.
  • The militants overran the base, looted weapons, and set key military infrastructure ablaze.
  • Residents reported hours of gunfire and panic, with some fleeing into the bush to escape.
  • This comes after renewed government messaging suggesting progress in the fight against terrorism.
  • Many citizens are increasingly sceptical—some say leadership seems more focused on spiritual appeals than real solutions.
“We’ve buried too many soldiers. And now they tell us to pray,” said a Katarko youth leader. For families in the northeast, grief is being replaced by disillusionment. There’s a growing sense that Nigeria’s security crises are met with platitudes instead of protection.

What will it take for Nigerians to feel safe again—and to believe their leaders can deliver that safety? The latest attack adds weight to a painful question: how long can faith alone hold up a nation under siege?