Suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly ambush on farmers in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, killing 15 people and abducting three others. The incident occurred on Wednesday across Ala, Gumna, and Musune wards near the headquarters of the area council. Local sources reported that the victims were attacked while harvesting crops on their farms. The task of recovering the bodies was completed by Thursday morning, with five bodies initially recovered and others found later.
The public relations officer of the Borno State police command, DSP Kenneth Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, stating that 15 people lost their lives and that authorities were actively investigating the situation. He also mentioned that efforts were being made to determine the whereabouts of the three people still missing. A grieving relative whose cousin was among the victims shared details of the execution-style killings, explaining that the victims were forced to lie down and shot in the head at close range.
The massacre has drawn widespread outrage, with Amnesty International strongly condemning the violence as a horrific violation of international humanitarian law. In a statement released on Friday, the organisation expressed deep concern over the escalating violence against vulnerable populations in the North-East, Nigeria. Amnesty International emphasised that the deliberate targeting of civilians by non-state armed groups constitutes a war crime.
Despite ongoing military operations in Nigeria's North-East, farming communities continue to face severe security threats as insurgents frequently target agricultural workers in remote areas. The incident in Marte Local Government Area is the latest in a series of attacks on civilians in the region. Human Rights Watch has previously reported on the insurgents' tactics of ambushing and executing civilians in the area.
In 2021, Boko Haram splintered, and the Islamic State-aligned faction, ISWAP, began asserting dominance. The group has been responsible for several attacks on military bases and civilian targets in the region. On January 15, 2021, ISWAP fighters overran the Nigerian Army's 153 Task Force Battalion base in Marte, killing seven soldiers and looting weapons and equipment.
The conflict in Borno State has led to significant displacement of people, with many fleeing their homes due to the insecurity. In May 2023, ISWAP fighters stormed the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Marte with heavy weapons and rocket fire, killing at least 10 soldiers and forcing hundreds to flee. The attackers burned the barracks and took control of the base.
The Borno State government has been working to resettle displaced persons, but the latest attack has hindered these efforts. The state's governor, Babagana Zulum, had planned to resettle 30,000 returnees but was forced to cancel the effort due to the insecurity. The government has called for increased support to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Key points
- 15 farmers were killed and 3 abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
- Amnesty International has condemned the attack as a horrific violation of international humanitarian law.
- The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on civilians in the North-East region of Nigeria.
