Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters reportedly killed at least 23 farmers and fishermen in Malam Karanti, a remote village near Baga, in Kukawa LGA of Borno state.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning.
The victims, predominantly beans farmers from Gwoza, had allegedly secured an agreement with a rival Boko Haram faction to farm and fish in insurgent-controlled territories, in exchange for regular payment of levies.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the ISWAP insurgents stormed Malam Karanti around 9am on the day, gathered the farmers and fishermen, and executed them on suspicion of collaborating with the rival Boko Haram group.
“The terrorists spared an elderly man, who later returned to the community and raised the alarm,” Makama quoted a source as saying.
“They accused the victims of working with Boko Haram and defying ISWAP’s control. Most of them were beans farmers from Gwoza who paid Boko Haram to use the land.”
The publication said efforts to retrieve the bodies were halted when the insurgents returned and opened fire on the search party, forcing them to retreat.
Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, has repeatedly cautioned communities against entering into secret arrangements with terrorists for access to land or fishing waters.
“Such alliances not only fuel terrorism but also expose civilians to betrayal, inter-factional rivalry, and deadly reprisals,” he had warned.
A local official who spoke to journalists said some community members still trust terrorists.
“Unfortunately, some locals continue to trust the terrorists, believing that paying levies or cooperating will protect them,” the official said.
“But history has shown that these groups turn against them at the slightest suspicion or territorial dispute.”
