At least 12 people have been killed in a Boko Haram attack on Saturday in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

Among the victims were two local security guards, while the others were civilians who had gone into the bush to gather firewood.

The Emir of Gwoza, Mohammed Timta, confirmed the deaths, saying the victims have been buried and several others with serious injuries are receiving treatment in Maiduguri.

He warned that fear is now gripping the community, with many farmers reluctant to return to their fields at a critical time for planting before the rainy season.

The attack comes just 48 days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed senior military officials to assess security conditions in Borno State.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised fresh concerns that insurgent groups are regrouping and intensifying their operations around the Lake Chad region, threatening fragile security gains.