Tragedy as suspected Boko Haram terrorists kill 5 in Borno

At least five farmers lost their lives on Saturday following a brutal attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Goshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to local sources, the victims were tending to their farmlands in the morning when the insurgents stormed the area and carried out the killings. The attack has once again highlighted the dangers farmers face in conflict-prone regions of the North-East, where insecurity has disrupted livelihoods and food production.

Confirming the incident, Junaid Jibrin, a legislative aide to Senator Muhammad Ndume, representing the district, shared details of the attack in a Facebook post. He condemned the killings and called for stronger security interventions to protect rural communities.

“A dark cloud has once again fallen on the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. By mid-morning on Saturday, while innocent farmers were simply tilling their land in search of daily sustenance, suspected Boko Haram insurgents descended upon them in cold blood, Five precious lives were cut short,” Mr Jibrin wrote.

“Ordinary people, whose only ‘fault’ was to step into their farms to feed their families and contribute to the community, were silenced forever. This is our story, such horrors visit us almost daily, especially upon our farmlands.

“May the Almighty forgive their shortcomings, grant them eternal rest, and shield us all from the hands of those who take innocent lives. Ameen,” Jibrin added.

However, the police spokesperson in Borno, Nanum Keneath, when contacted by this reporter, said they were yet to receive the information.

Reuben Kovangiya, a spokesperson of the Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai fighting the insurgency, also said he could not confirm the attack.

Recent offensives by troops of Operation Hadin Kai had led to the killing of about 20 Insurgents.

Carried out between Saturday and Sunday, the operations hit terrorist hideouts in Tamsu Ngamdu, Dalakaleri, Gaza and Loskori Kura villages.