‘A Pattern of Terror!’ 40 Farmers Killed in Borno Attack as Boko Haram Strikes Again

At least 40 farmers were killed on Sunday in Dumba, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, following a deadly attack by terrorists believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The attack, which occurred around 4:30 pm, has left several others unaccounted for, with reports suggesting many may have been abducted.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, Prof. Usman Tar, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, revealed that the government is investigating the circumstances of the attack.

“Initial reports indicate about 40 farmers have been killed, while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families,”

Tar disclosed.

A Pattern of Terror
The tragic event comes just a day after a similar attack in Chibok, where two people were killed and a church set ablaze. This escalating violence in Borno State has raised concerns over the security of vulnerable communities in the Lake Chad region.

Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attacks and urged the military to intensify operations in Dumba and its surrounding areas.

“The government is committed to ensuring that justice is served while strengthening security to protect our people,”

The governor stated.

Sources suggest the victims ventured beyond the military’s demarcated security tracks into areas marked unsafe due to insurgent activity and landmines.

Historical Devastation
The Kukawa area has been a recurring target for terrorists. In December 2019, Boko Haram overran Baga, Kukawa’s headquarters, in a bloody two-day assault, leading to mass displacement and severe casualties, including the execution of captured military personnel.

Call for Military Action
The governor reiterated the need for residents to adhere to safe farming zones while commending the military’s ongoing efforts. “The safe corridors provide vast land for farming and settlement under the protection of our security forces. Straying into unsafe areas not only endangers lives but hampers counterterrorism operations,” Zulum noted.

The statement emphasized the importance of military cooperation in neutralizing terrorist enclaves in Lake Chad’s vicinity.

Broader Military Concerns
Reacting to recent criticisms of military operations, including the accidental killing of civilians in Zamfara, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), defended the precision of military airstrikes.

“Before we conduct any airstrike, we follow strict protocols. Our strikes are precise and avoid targeting civilians,” Musa said during an interview on Arise News.

The CDS acknowledged the possibility of secondary explosions from insurgent ammunition depots causing unintended casualties but dismissed allegations of deliberate civilian targeting as a tactic to undermine military progress.

The Terrorist Strategy
General Musa also highlighted a disturbing tactic employed by insurgents, revealing that they systematically impregnate women to create a new generation of fighters.

“These tactics aim to sustain their operations through indoctrination and recruitment of young fighters,” Musa explained.

Government Assurance
The Borno State government has vowed to investigate the attack thoroughly and enhance security measures across vulnerable communities. Efforts are underway to trace survivors and reunite them with their families while military forces work to neutralize the attackers.

In a closely similar incident, OwelekeTV recalls the recent attack by the insurgent group in Borno, killing two and razing a church on the 12th of January, 2025.

According to reports retrieved by OwelekeTV, the village is called Bamzir village under Whuntaku District, Chibok Local Government Area.

In a statement, the media team of the local government chairman of Chibok LGA Mustapha Madu said the terrorists attacked around 2:10 am Sunday and set many houses ablaze resulting in the death of two blood brothers identified as Josiah Pogu Pudza, a student of SS Two, and Enoch Pogu Pudza while one Esther Yohanna sustained a bullet injury.

The statement noted that the terrorists carted away food items and livestock, and razed down the EYN LCC church auditorium, and several houses and shops.

The two persons were buried early morning. The chairman of the LGA Mustapha Madu was in attendance.
Mustapha condoled with the family of the bereaved and also inspected all burnt houses, shops, and the church auditorium.

Following the attack on the 12th of this month in Borno, another insurgent attack was reported after terrorists killed two telecoms workers and one indigene of Gumki village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State on

The incident came just at the same time some suspected Lakurawa terrorists killed several persons in North-Western state of Kebbi.

The terrorists invaded the community and perpetrated the deadly act when victims were installing surveillance masks in the area.

“On 10/01/2025 at about 2047hrs, suspected Lakurawa bandits invaded a construction site at Gumki village, Arewa LGA, a community between Nigeria and Niger Republic, where staff of Airtel communication Nigeria Ltd were installing a surveillance mask for the Nigeria Immigration Service,”

Police authorities in Borno said in a statement after the attack.

“As a result, four people lost their lives, one indigene and three staff of the Airtel company. On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani alongside the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, CIS Muhammad Bashir Lawali, swiftly mobilized to the scene, evacuated the corpses to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi.”

Residents are urged to exercise caution and cooperate with security agencies to ensure their safety amid ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.