Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have reportedly massacred at least 50 farmers in Malam Karanti village, Kukawa LGA of Borno State.
According to sources, the killings occurred on Thursday about nine kilometres from Baga, inside territory normally controlled by ISWAP.
The farmers along with local fishermen had previously paid levies for protection to “Amir Akilu,” the ISWAP commander said to oversee Malam Karanti up to Dawashi.
“They have papers of the commander in charge of Malam Karanti up to Dawashi. His name is Amir Akilu. They enjoyed his protection for months before the latest incident,” one resident explained.
With the commander apparently away, rival Boko Haram fighters swept in, accusing the farmers of spying.
A survivor recalled how the gunmen encircled them: “They gathered us in one place and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to escape, but some of us chose to run rather than die miserably in their hands.”
“They killed over 50 people; majority of them were slaughtered. They also abducted some. Today they were in Dawashi doing the same killing but there was no information on the number of people affected,” he added.
As of Saturday night, neither security agencies nor government officials had commented on the attack, which comes barely five months after at least 40 farmers were murdered in nearby Dumba, also in the Baga area.
