Suspected Boko Haram terrorists k!ll 15 farmers in Borno

At least 15 people have been killed in an attack blamed on suspected Boko Haram fighters around the Ala and Musune wards of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. The victims, described by local sources as farmers and firewood gatherers, were reportedly ambushed while carrying out their daily activities on Wednesday evening.

Eighteen people were said to have gone to the area, but only 15 bodies had been recovered and buried as of Thursday, while three others remained missing.

Borno State Police Command spokesperson Nahum Daso confirmed the attack, saying efforts were underway to determine the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for. “Yes, there was an attack in Marte. 15 people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said. He added that details surrounding the incident remained sketchy and that police would provide further information after completing their inquiries.

Local sources said the victims included young men, married men and elderly residents who depended on farming and gathering firewood for their livelihoods. One source told Punch that the victims were captured before they were killed. “They were ambushed by terrorists while carrying out their daily work, bound, forced to lie down, and executed at close range,” the source said.

The source further alleged that some of the victims were decapitated. “Many people were killed. Some were not even recognisable. So far, we have buried 15 out of the 18; we are currently searching for three persons,” the source said.

Another local source said members of the community later went to the scene to retrieve the bodies before burying them in accordance with Islamic rites. “It was after the incident that community members picked their bodies from the farm where they were massacred. The bodies found have been buried according to Islamic rites,” the source said.

Amnesty International condemned the attack, describing the killings as “horrific” and calling for greater protection for civilians in the region. “Amnesty International strongly condemns the horrific killing of at least 15 people on Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria,” the organisation said.

“The victims, who were local residents venturing into the surrounding bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group.” Amnesty said attacks deliberately targeting civilians by non-state armed groups constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. “Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate, transparent, and human-rights-compliant measures to protect vulnerable communities living in the region,” the organisation added.