Breaking: Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 15 Farmers in Borno, Three Others Missing

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed at least 15 farmers and firewood gatherers in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving three others missing after an attack on Wednesday evening.

The victims were reportedly ambushed while working on their farms around Ala and Musune wards.

According to local sources, 18 people had gone to the area, but only 15 bodies were recovered and buried on Thursday in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the attack to Journalists on Friday, saying that 15 people had been killed while efforts were ongoing to locate the three missing persons.

“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. Fifteen people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said.

He added that details surrounding the incident were still being gathered and that the police would provide further information when more facts became available.

Residents familiar with the incident said the victims were mainly peasant farmers and people who gathered firewood to support their families.

They reportedly included young men, married men and elderly members of the community.
One local source alleged that the victims were attacked while carrying out their daily activities.

According to the source, the attackers reportedly restrained the victims before killing them at close range.

The source further claimed that some of the victims were decapitated, making identification difficult in some cases.

“Many people were killed. Some were not even recognisable. So far, we have buried 15 out of the 18, while we are still searching for three persons,” the source said.

Another resident said members of the community later retrieved the bodies from the farmland and transported them for burial according to Islamic traditions.

The incident has drawn condemnation from Amnesty International, which described the killings as horrific and a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The human rights organisation said the victims were local residents who had ventured into the surrounding bush to gather firewood either to earn a living or provide for their families.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to take immediate and transparent measures to protect vulnerable communities in the area and ensure that civilians are not exposed to further attacks.

The latest incident adds to the continuing security challenges confronting communities in Borno State, particularly in areas affected by the long-running Boko Haram insurgency.

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