An attack by Boko Haram insurgents killed at least 20 fishermen in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, residents and local security officers said on Thursday.
Islamist Insurgency
Nigeria has been grappling with a 16-year-long Islamist insurgency in its northeast.
The insurgency is driven primarily by Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) that has led to huge human and economic losses, including mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.
Boko Haram is an Arabic phrase that means “Group of the People of Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad”
The group is active in Nigeria, Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali.
Attack On Fishermen
Modu Ari, a member of the civilian joint task force, said the insurgents stormed the fishing community of Gadan Gari on Wednesday at about 11:00 GMT, and opened fire at fishermen working in the area, killing at least 20.
Mustapha Kacahallah, a resident, said his child was killed in the attack and that they had buried more than 15 people.
The military and Borno state officials have not yet commented on the attacks.
Repeated Blows
This comes after suspected Islamist militants killed at least 40 farmers in an attack on the Dumba community in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State on January 12, a senior state official said the following day.
The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicenter.
Food Crisis In Borno
Sunday’s attack comes amid a worsening food crisis in Borno, exacerbated by flooding in September and years of insecurity and displacement caused by the insurgency.
Initial reports indicate the farmers strayed outside a security corridor set up by the military, venturing into an area known for insurgent activity and strewn with landmines, Usman Tar, commissioner of information said.
Security forced were looking for any farmers who had escaped the attack, Tar added.
Attack Will Be Investigated
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attack in a statement, calling on the military to “track and deal decisively with the perpetrators”.
He said the attack will be investigated and asked farmers and fishermen in the area to operate within the safe corridors demarcated by the military.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, with a failed ambush on a military patrol last week leaving 34 militants dead.
Six soldiers were killed in action.
(With inputs from Reuters)
