Hussaini Kafi in Kano
At least 23 farmers and fishermen have been killed in a brutal attack by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Malam Karanti, a village located about five kilometres from Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Local sources said the terrorists stormed the village early Thursday, gathered the victims—mostly bean farmers—and executed them. “They assembled people near the village and killed them. The victims were primarily bean farmers,” one source told our correspondent.
An elderly man, reportedly spared by the attackers, later alerted nearby communities about the massacre.
Residents who attempted to retrieve the bodies were forced to retreat after the insurgents returned and launched another attack, preventing recovery efforts. “We tried to organise a rescue mission with security agencies, but they came back. Many families are still waiting for their loved ones,” another resident said.
Malam Karanti is a known ISWAP enclave, where civilians often risk their lives to farm and fish for survival despite the presence of terrorists.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who visited Borno on Thursday, assured residents that the military is intensifying operations to dismantle terrorist camps and restore peace to the region.
Speaking further on Friday in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, General Musa disclosed that new equipment and air assets have been approved to strengthen the fight against insurgents.
“Mr President has given us directives to intensify efforts and collaborate with neighbouring countries. Our borders’ porous nature is worsening the situation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of non-kinetic approaches and the role of state governments in addressing root causes of insecurity.
General Musa highlighted plans to recharge Lake Chad, which he said will enable troops to navigate the area and disrupt ISWAP’s logistics, which thrive on fishing and farming in the basin.
“The military is fully committed to ending the insurgency,” he added.
The recent attack underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP and the urgency of ongoing military efforts to safeguard rural communities in Borno and across the Northeast.
