Jihadists Kill 14 Farmers in Northeast Nigeria, Death Toll May Rise

Borno State, Nigeria – At least 14 farmers were killed in a brutal attack by jihadists in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, with officials warning the death toll could increase as search operations continue.

Details of the Attack

The victims were working on their farmlands near Pulka town in Gwoza district on Saturday when they were ambushed. According to Abba Shehu Timta, the district’s political administrator, the farmers were preparing their fields for the upcoming planting season.

“The terrorists killed 14 farmers who were clearing their farms and injured four others,” Timta stated, attributing the attack to the Boko Haram faction. He added that the assailants launched the assault from Vlei village, where they maintain a camp.

Ongoing Search Operations

Search and rescue teams, supported by military personnel, are scouring nearby bushes for additional victims. The region has faced repeated attacks from jihadist groups, making it a high-risk area for civilians.

Jihadist Threats in the Region

Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have increasingly targeted farmers, fishermen, and other rural workers, accusing them of collaborating with security forces. These groups have entrenched themselves in strategic locations, including the Lake Chad islands, Sambisa Forest, and Mandara Mountains.

Historical Context

Gwoza district has been a hotspot for jihadist violence since 2014 when Boko Haram briefly seized control and declared it part of their caliphate. Although Nigerian and Chadian forces reclaimed the town in 2015, insurgents continue to launch attacks from the Mandara mountain range along the Cameroon border.

Humanitarian Crisis

The prolonged conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced approximately two million people in Nigeria’s northeast. The violence has also spilled into neighboring countries, including Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, prompting a regional military response.

Borno State governor Babagana Zulum recently expressed concerns over “military setbacks” in counterinsurgency efforts, highlighting the persistent threat posed by these extremist groups.

For more details, read the original report.