Governor Zulum decries tragedy as fresh Boko Haram strikes leave many dead, abducted in Borno
An attack by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists has claimed the lives of at least 40 farmers in Dumba, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The assault, which occurred around 4:30 pm on Sunday, left many others missing and feared abducted.
Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, confirmed the incident on Monday, stating, “Preliminary reports suggest around 40 farmers were killed, while efforts are underway to trace those who escaped the attack and reunite them with their families.”
The tragic event unfolded just a day after two people were killed and a church was set ablaze in a similar attack in Chibok, southern Borno.
Babagana Zulum
Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the killings and called on the military to eliminate insurgents operating in Dumba and nearby areas around Lake Chad.
Reports indicate the victims had ventured beyond a military-designated security perimeter intended to protect civilians from insurgent-held zones.
Kukawa has faced repeated attacks since 2014, including the devastating 2019 Boko Haram assault on Baga, where soldiers were killed and thousands displaced.
Governor Zulum expressed profound grief over the latest killings and reassured residents of the government’s commitment to justice and enhanced security measures. He stressed the importance of adhering to designated safe zones for farming, which allows the military to concentrate on clearing insurgent-occupied areas.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa addressed concerns about civilian casualties during military airstrikes, emphasizing the complexity of operations in regions where terrorists store weapons.
He dismissed claims of deliberate civilian targeting and highlighted efforts to disrupt insurgents’ financing networks in collaboration with international organizations such as the UN and EU.
Musa also raised concerns about the brutal indoctrination of children by terrorist groups, describing it as a tactic to sustain their ranks. He reiterated the military’s commitment to breaking these networks and securing the region.
