Boko Haram kills 15 farmers, abduct 3 in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have ambushed and killed 15 farmers, while abducting three others in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to local sources, the incident took place on Wednesday across Ala, Gumna and Musune wards near the headquarters of the area council.

While initial reports of the attack reached the community on Wednesday evening, the task of recovering the bodies could not be completed until Thursday morning.

Recounting the assault, a source said, “Five bodies were initially recovered from the field, while others were found later. Three persons are still missing, and sources indicate that they were abducted by the insurgents.”

The public relations officer of the Borno State police command, DSP Kenneth Nahum Daso, confirmed that 15 people lost their lives and confirmed that the authorities were actively investigating the situation.

“We are making efforts to determine the whereabouts of the three people still missing,” Daso said.

A grieving relative whose cousin was among the victims, shared details of the execution-style killings, explaining that the victims had gone to their farms to harvest crops when they were ambushed.

“They were forced to lie down and shot in the head at close range. It was a gory sight,” she said.

According to the relative, local community members bravely mobilised to search the fields, retrieve the bodies and ensure they were buried according to Islamic rites.

Amnesty International condemns attack

The massacre has drawn widespread outrage, with the human rights organization, 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 strongly condemns the horrific killing of at least 15 people in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. The victims, who were local residents venturing into the surrounding areas to earn a living or harvest their crops, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group,” the statement reads.

The rights group emphasised that the deliberate targeting of civilians by non-state armed groups constitutes a war crime.

“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate, transparent and human-rights-compliant measures to protect vulnerable communities living in the region,” the statement concluded.

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.

Timeline of attacks

In 2021, Boko Haram splintered and the Islamic State–aligned faction began asserting dominance. On the night of January 15, ISWAP fighters overran the Nigerian Army’s 153 Task Force Battalion base in Marte.

According to security sources, seven soldiers were killed and the attackers reportedly looted weapons and equipment. Survivors fled into the bush or towards Dikwa.

Between February 23 and 25, Nigerian troops hit back and launched a counteroffensive with air support. They reclaimed New Marte, killing 19 insurgents, seizing arms and IED components.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army recovered New Marte and adjoining communities from the devilish Boko Haram terrorists,” said military spokesperson Mohammed Yerima.

However, within weeks, the militants staged coordinated attacks on Marte and nearby Dikwa. In one incident in March, over 100 soldiers were initially unaccounted for; many were later declared deserters.

Human Rights Watch later reported that as late as January 2022, insurgents continued to ambush and execute civilians in the area, including 9 scrap metal scavengers.

In October 2024, insurgents ambushed a convoy on the Dikwa-New Marte road, killing two soldiers and several Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members.

On May 3, ISWAP fighters stormed the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Marte with heavy weapons and rocket fire.

At least 10 soldiers were killed and hundreds of personnel fled, leaving behind armoured vehicles and ammunition. The attackers burned the barracks and took control of the base.

On May 12, the militants struck again, this time at 2 am, launching a pre-dawn raid on the 153 Battalion base. They arrived on motorcycles and gun trucks, catching soldiers off guard.

Dozens were killed or captured. By nightfall, the army announced it had retaken the base, but not before vehicles were destroyed and arms looted.

By May 13, reports confirmed that ISWAP had seized much of Marte, triggering another wave of displacement.

Zulum, who had planned to resettle 30,000 returnees, was forced to cancel the effort.

“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa. We must protect the last village under our control. If we lose it, we lose the entire local government area.” he said.