Nigeria: Borno - How Boko Haram Killed 90 Farmers in 5 Months

At least 90 farmers and fishermen have died in two attacks by armed groups in the Lake Chad area of Borno State. The attacks occurred over the last five months. Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) are suspected to be responsible. Many victims were also wounded or abducted during these incidents.

The latest attack happened on May 15, 2025. ISWAP terrorists targeted a bean field at Malam Karanti in Kukawa LGA, killing at least 50 farmers. Hundreds were working in the field when the attack occurred.

Sources reported that rival Boko Haram fighters ambushed farmers in ISWAP-controlled areas, about nine kilometers from Baga town. A local source said farmers had received protection from an ISWAP commander for months before this incident. They paid a levy for this protection.

Boko Haram fighters took advantage of the commander's absence to launch their attack. They accused the farmers of spying and siding with their enemies. One survivor described how Boko Haram surrounded them and threatened to shoot anyone trying to escape.

Some farmers had begun harvesting beans when they were attacked. The assailants gathered them together and threatened death if they tried to flee. The survivor claimed over 50 people were killed, with many slaughtered and some abducted.

This attack follows another incident where terrorists killed at least 40 farmers on Dumba Island near Baga town on January 10, 2025. Survivors reported that attackers struck around 3 PM while accusing farmers of collaborating with troops despite having permission to farm.

Locals stated that corpses from the recent attack have not been recovered five days later. A relative named Baana expressed frustration over not being able to access his slain brothers' bodies for burial. A security team attempted to recover the bodies but was unsuccessful.

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum urged the army to target Boko Haram's breeding grounds in Lake Chad. He made this request during a visit with military leaders in Maiduguri. Zulum expressed disappointment that troops had not operated in Tumbus for ten years.

He emphasized Borno's strategic importance in fighting insurgency due to its borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. He warned that foreign insurgents could destabilize the state again if left unchecked.

The Chief of Defence Staff highlighted that recharging Lake Chad is crucial for military operations against terrorism in northeast Nigeria. He noted it would clear obstacles across the lake and improve Navy access for operations against terrorists.

The CDS mentioned plans for future meetings focused on clearing Lake Chad and recharging it soon. He stressed its importance for economic opportunities across four countries reliant on its resources.

Recent attacks have pressured military formations across various locations as rival terror groups clash over territory and levy collection issues emerged among farmers negotiating directly with ISWAP factions without military protection.

In November 2020, Boko Haram killed over 40 farmers working on a rice field in Zabarmari, which was condemned by the UN as one of the year's most violent civilian attacks.

Since 2020, nearly 250 farmers have been killed by Boko Haram and ISWAP across farming communities in Borno State according to Daily Trust reports.

Amnesty International condemned these brutal killings, calling them war crimes needing thorough investigation. They urged Nigerian authorities to prioritize rural safety and hold perpetrators accountable while documenting similar incidents since 2020 involving illegal levies imposed by armed groups on civilians.