Farmers Killed in Fresh Terrorist Attack in Borno State
At least 15 farmers and firewood gatherers have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were reportedly ambushed while carrying out their daily activities around Ala and Musune wards on Wednesday evening.
Sources said 18 people had gone to the farms, but only 15 bodies were recovered from the scene and buried on Thursday.
Three others remained missing as of Friday, with community members continuing efforts to locate them.
The Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online on Friday, although he said details were still sketchy.
“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. 15 people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said.
The police spokesperson added that security authorities were still gathering information on the incident and would provide further updates when more details became available.
Local sources said the victims were mainly peasant farmers and firewood gatherers who had gone into the surrounding bush to earn a living and provide for their families. They reportedly included young men, married men and elderly members of the community.
One of the sources, who requested anonymity, said the victims were attacked while working on their farms.
“They were ambushed by terrorists while carrying out their daily work, bound, forced to lie down, and executed at close range,” the source said.
The source further alleged that some of the victims were decapitated, adding that the condition of some of the bodies made identification difficult.
“Many people were killed. Some were not even recognisable. So far, we have buried 15 out of the 18; we are currently searching for three persons,” the source said.
Another local source said community members later went to the area to retrieve the bodies and take them back for burial.
“It was after the incident that community members picked their bodies from the farm where they were massacred. The bodies found have been buried according to Islamic rites,” the source said.
The attack has further raised concerns over the safety of rural residents in communities affected by the long-running Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, particularly people who depend on farming and other activities in remote areas for their livelihood.
Amnesty International condemned the killings, describing the incident as horrific and calling on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities in the region.
In a statement issued on Friday, the human rights organisation said the reported killing of civilians represented a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the horrific killing of at least 15 people on Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria,” the organisation said.
It said the victims were local residents who had gone into the surrounding bush to gather firewood for their livelihoods and household needs when they were attacked.
“The victims, who were local residents venturing into the surrounding bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group,” the statement read.
Amnesty International also called on the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for civilians living in areas exposed to attacks by armed groups.
“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 organisation said.
