Boko Haram kills 40 and abducts many in a Borno attack
At least 40 farmers were reportedly killed in Dumba, a community in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, during an attack by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. Many others are missing, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
The attack, which occurred around 4:30 pm on Sunday, left several farmers unaccounted for, with fears that they may have been abducted by the attackers.
Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
He stated, “Investigations have started into the circumstances surrounding this attack. Initial reports suggest that around 40 farmers were killed, and efforts are ongoing to locate those who escaped and reunite them with their families.”
This tragic event occurred less than 24 hours after another attack in Chibok, where two people were killed, and a church was set ablaze.
Governor Babagana Zulum strongly condemned the attack and urged the military to locate and eliminate insurgents in Dumba and other hideouts near the Lake Chad region.
Sources indicated that the victims were targeted after venturing beyond a security boundary marked by the military to protect residents from terrorist areas.
The Kukawa area has experienced three major Boko Haram attacks since 2014, which marked a surge in terrorist activities in Borno State.
In December 2019, Boko Haram attacked Baga, Kukawa’s headquarters, displacing thousands and capturing numerous military personnel, who were later executed.
Governor Zulum expressed grief over the Dumba attack, urging the military to apprehend the perpetrators. He reassured the public of the government’s commitment to justice and improving security.
The governor emphasized that the victims had gone beyond safe zones established by security agencies and urged residents to respect the boundaries to avoid similar incidents.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, explained that the military follows strict procedures before conducting airstrikes and aims to avoid civilian casualties. Responding to allegations of civilian deaths in recent airstrikes, he said such claims might be attempts to demoralize troops. Musa called for patience while investigations into such incidents are completed.
Musa also revealed that insurgents are now resorting to impregnating women to produce new fighters, a tactic adopted after losing their territories. He stressed that many children raised under these circumstances risk becoming even more brutal than their predecessors.
Efforts are underway to disrupt the financial networks supporting terrorism. Collaborations with international organizations like the UN and EU are being strengthened to trace and block funds that sustain terrorist activities.
The Nigerian military is also planning legal action against Reuters over allegations of forced abortions during counter-insurgency operations. The military has been cleared of such claims by investigations conducted by the National Human Rights Commission.
The House of Representatives Committee on Army has promised to support the Nigerian Army with adequate funding in the 2025 budget to address insecurity challenges. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare of troops and strengthening the Army’s capacity.