On 4 July 2014, jihadist group Boko Haram attacked Damboa, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.^[1] The Nigerian Army said that they fought off the insurgents, but locals said that the Army abandoned its barracks there and left the town as a result.^[1]

On 18 July 2014, Boko Haram again attacked Damboa.^[2] The Army had left; the self-defence militia were quickly overpowered by Boko Haram, who took over the town - killing over 100 people and burning most of it.^[2]