NO fewer than 50 farmers and fishermen were killed in an attack by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the village of Malam Karanti near Baga, in the Kukawa Local Government Area of the northern part of Borno State, sources have said.
Our correspondent gathered that the attack occurred on Thursday morning in Malam Karanti, a village five kilometres from Baga.
Sources said the terrorists gathered farmers and fishermen near the village and killed 50 bean farmers.
“The terrorists spared an elderly man, who later alerted the community. The terrorists assembled people in Malam Karanti and killed them. Most of the victims were bean farmers,” a source said.
Residents attempting to recover bodies were forced to retreat after ISWAP launched another attack.
“We tried to organise a rescue mission with security agencies to recover the victims’ bodies, but the terrorists returned and prevented us. Many families are waiting for their loved ones,” another source said.
Malam Karanti is an ISWAP enclave where civilians often farm and fish despite risks.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, during his visit on Thursday, assured residents of Borno State and the North-East that the military is frantically working to deal with the terrorists and flush them out of their enclaves to end the crisis.
He added that the military is synergising with friendly countries such as Russia, France, among others, to deploy sophisticated weapons that could bring the war quickly to an end.
General Musa added that recharging of the Lake Chad will also enable troops to navigate the Lake Chad axis to eliminate the terrorists, especially the ISWAP, who have capitalised on the economic fortunes of the Chad Basin, such as fishing and farming, to boost their logistics base.
On Friday, General Musa assured Nigerians that the military is committed to addressing the recent surge in insecurity.
General Musa gave the assurance while briefing the State House correspondents immediately after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu and defence chiefs at the Aso Rock Villa.
He stated that additional equipment has already been procured to strengthen the fight against terrorists, who have intensified their attacks in recent months, particularly in the northern region of the country.
“Mr President has given a directive as to what to do next for us to intensify all efforts, collaborate with all our sister countries around us, because it is the porous nature from there that is aggravating our own issues on the ground.
“And so all our theatres have been enhanced, equipment has been bought, and Mr President has given us much approval for air assets, and other aspects of security and as we said, it is not only the kinetic aspect, the non-kinetic aspect is most important.
“The President is also looking at discussing with governors for their own support by ensuring that dividends of democracy extend to the community to stamp down the issue of insecurity, and we are working together,” General Musa said.