Borno: UN Denounces murder of farmers, fishermen, demands justice for heartless perpetrators

The United Nations has denounced the recent mass killing of civilians in the Kukawa area of Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria.

The Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick, described the killing of at least 40 civilians in Dumba community on 12 January 2025, reportedly by members of a non-state armed group as shocking.

The victims who were mostly farmers and fishermen were reportedly killed after allegedly breaching a non-state armed group ban on farming activities.

In a statement, Malick sympathized with the bereaved families and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

The UN official demanded that the violent attackers be identified and made to face the full rage of the law.

“The armed actors who perpetrated these attacks must be identified and brought to account in compliance with national and international human rights laws,” Malick said.

The statement added, “This recent attack is yet another grim reminder of the profound dangers that civilians in conflict affected parts ofBorno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states continue to face in their struggle to survive.

“In 2024, multiple attacks against civilians were recorded. In February 2024, NSAGs allegedly abducted hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls in Ngala LGA, Borno State.

“The IDPs had reportedly ventured beyond the safety of the trenches surrounding Ngala in search of firewood.

“In June 2024, scores of civilians were reportedly killed and others seriously injured following suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza LGA, also in Borno.

“In July 2024, suspected NSAGs attacked farmers in the Firgi community, also in Gwoza LGA, leading to the killing of an unspecified number of IDPs and the abduction of two women and seven teenage girls who were later released. And in September 2024, more than 100 men and boys lost their lives following an NSAG attack on Mafa, in Yobe State’s Tarmuwa LGA.

“Several other incidents were reported in Borno’s Dikwa, Logomane, Ngala and Pulka areas. The UN remains committed to supporting affected people to complement Government efforts.”

“I also call for enhanced security measures and urge parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.”