At least 23 farmers and fishermen were killed and others taken captive in an attack by suspected Islamist militants in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria, this week, according to security sources and local residents.
The region has long been plagued by a brutal insurgency, primarily driven by the Islamist group Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The attack occurred in the village of Malam Karanti on Thursday morning, as militants gathered farmers and fishermen before killing 23 of them, many of whom were bean farmers, the sources reported. They spared an elderly man, who later informed the community of the attack.
Residents attempted to recover the bodies of the deceased but were driven off by the militants, according to Usman Ali, a local resident.
Nigeria’s army spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Borno’s governor recently acknowledged a resurgence of attacks and kidnappings by Boko Haram, undermining earlier security gains in the region.
