By DAYO ADESULU
In a devastating incident, at least 40 farmers and fishermen have lost their lives following an assault by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP militants in Dumba, a community located near Baga in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. Reports indicate that many individuals remain unaccounted for around the shores of Lake Chad.
A community source, who chose to remain anonymous, provided additional details via phone. He revealed that the militants gathered over 500 local farmers and fishermen, unleashing a barrage of gunfire, resulting in numerous fatalities as others fled into the nearby bush for safety.
The attackers accused the farmers of acting as informants for the Nigerian military, allegedly revealing the militants’ hideouts and movements within the region. The source elaborated on the precarious situation, stating, “Dumba, Tilma, Madayi, and Shuwaram were once strongholds for the terrorists, and even the Nigerian military restricts access to these areas due to the inherent dangers.”
Despite the risks associated with farming in these regions, locals are compelled to return due to the area’s rich resources, including fish and fertile agricultural land. “While the terrorists initially allowed our farmers and fishermen to work unharmed, they exploit this labor by attacking during harvest time, seizing the produce,” the source explained. “They are skilled at collecting the harvest but avoid the labor of planting and maintaining the crops.”
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. In a public statement, he urged farmers to adhere to the designated safe corridors established by security agencies and to avoid areas that are yet to be fully cleared of militant presence.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing struggle against terrorism in the region and the dire consequences faced by local communities caught in the conflict.
