23 Farmers, Fishermen Killed by ISWAP in Borno

At least 23 farmers and fishermen were killed by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the early hours of Thursday in Malam Karanti, a village near Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident was reported by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama in a post on X, formerly Twitter, and confirmed by local sources who spoke to Kano Times on Saturday.

According to the report, the victims—mainly beans farmers from Gwoza—had previously reached an arrangement with a Boko Haram faction to farm and fish in areas under their control in exchange for periodic levies. Malam Karanti, however, is controlled by the rival ISWAP group, which opposes such agreements.

“The terrorists stormed Malam Karanti around 9:00 a.m., gathered the farmers and fishermen, and executed 23 of them on the spot,” a local vigilante source told Zagazola Makama. “They accused them of collaborating with Boko Haram fighters and defying ISWAP’s territorial control. Only one elderly man was spared, and he was the one who raised the alarm after returning to the community.”

Locals who attempted to retrieve the bodies were attacked when the insurgents reportedly returned and opened fire, forcing the group to withdraw.

A similar incident occurred last year in Dumba village near Baga, where several farmers were killed after allegedly violating a pact with another insurgent group.

A local government official, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said: “Unfortunately, some locals continue to trust the terrorists, believing that paying levies or cooperating will protect them. But history has shown that these groups turn against them at the slightest suspicion or territorial dispute.”

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, had warned residents in affected areas against making deals with insurgents, saying such arrangements empower the groups and leave civilians exposed to attacks.

Malam Karanti, located about 60 kilometers from Baga, is considered an ISWAP stronghold. Despite the risks, residents continue to enter the area in search of food and income amid worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.

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