Boko Haram kills 5 farmers in fresh attack on Borno community

At least five farmers were killed on Saturday in Goshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, following a brutal assault by Boko Haram insurgents.

Local sources revealed that the victims were tending to their farmlands in the morning when the attackers stormed the area and carried out the killings. The incident underscores the severe risks farmers continue to face in the conflict-ridden North-East, where insecurity has devastated livelihoods and crippled food production.

Confirming the tragedy, Junaid Jibrin, a legislative aide to Senator Muhammad Ndume (who represents the district), disclosed details of the attack in a Facebook post. He strongly condemned the killings and urged government authorities to scale up security measures to protect rural communities from further violence.

“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.