Predominantly affiliated Boko Haram militants’ onslaught on a town in northern Nigeria left at least 25 people dead, relatives of victims claimed; the bloodiest accounted Islamist assault since U.S. President Donald Trump gave an air-attack on Christmas Day.

When gunmen stormed into the town of Sabon Gari in the northeastern Nigeria state of Borno, and opened fire, on 29th January, victims were labourers who had travelled to the town to work in a construction site, Hassan Usman and Auwal Isa, close relatives, told Reuters.

Aliyu Ndume, a senator representing the region, stated that he was shocked and saddened by the killing of his constituents.

In another militant killing, also on Thursday in Borno state, at least nine military and two members of a civilian task force aiding them were killed by militants who attacked the army base before dawn. Sixteen people were wounded.

Still, the epicentre of the 17-year-old Islamist insurgency is Borno, where the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militias have focused their efforts on attacks on military convoys and civilians.

Nigeria is under further pressure to restore security due to the attacks of Islamists and mass kidnappings, as last year, Trump accused this country of not protecting Christians. On December 25, the U.S. forces attacked what it said were terrorist targets. The Nigerian government claims to be collaborating with Washington in order to enhance security.