On September 18, 2013, The Benisheik massacre was a massacre that occurred in Benisheik, Borno State, Nigeria.

The Benisheik massacre took place on 18 September 2013 in the town of Benisheik, Borno State, Nigeria, and was one of the deadliest attacks by the Boko Haram insurgent group at the time. Armed militants set up roadblocks along major highways leading into the town, targeting travelers, motorists, and local residents. 

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They reportedly intercepted vehicles, separated passengers based on their identities, and executed dozens on the spot. Many of the victims were drivers, traders, and travelers who were either shot or had their throats slit. Boko Haram specifically targeted members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a vigilante group that had been assisting Nigerian security forces in combating the insurgents.

According to reports, the attackers burned vehicles and left bodies littered along the roadside, creating widespread fear and devastation.

The official death toll initially reported by Nigerian authorities was around 87, but later estimates suggested that more than 140 people may have been killed in the massacre. The attack not only highlighted Boko Haram’s brutality but also the challenges facing the Nigerian military in securing major roads and protecting rural communities. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of being spared only by chance or fleeing into the bush to escape execution. The massacre drew international condemnation and underscored the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Borno State, where Boko Haram’s campaign of violence displaced thousands. For many Nigerians, the Benisheik massacre became a grim reminder of the insurgency’s reach and the vulnerability of ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire.

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