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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
A deadly attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Borno’s fishing community has claimed the lives of no fewer than 40 fishermen and farmers, with many others missing.
A large number of residents of Dumba, a remote community in Kukawa Local Government in the northern part of the state, had on Sunday gone to the bushes around the community for fishing and farming activities but fell into the hands of terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram.
The terrorists pursued the farmers and also attacked the community in a manner described by many in Borno.
Borno’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday.
“Investigation has commenced on the circumstances behind this 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.
He said the state governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the attack in “strong terms,” even as the governor called on the military to track and clear the insurgent elements operating in Dumba and other similar enclaves around the Lake Chad area.
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He also said Zulum commiserates with the victims and families of the deceased, assuring of the government’s efforts to halt terrorist attacks.
Attack: Gov Zulum condemns the act of terrorism, commiserates with the victims
“With deep sorrow and anguish, I received the sad news of the attack on Dumba where scores of our farmers and fishermen were killed by the terrorists. On behalf of the government, I sympathise with the victims’ families,” Zulum was quoted as saying in the statement.
Sources said most of the affected farmers fell into the hands of the terrorists after moving beyond the security track marked by the military around the communities to prevent residents from straying into Boko Haram or ISWAP uncleared enclaves.
The Kukawa area has suffered three devastating attacks by Boko Haram since 2014, when terrorist attacks escalated in Borno State.
In December 2019, Boko Haram sacked Baga, the headquarters of Kukawa Local Government and one of Borno’s commercial hubs, following a bloody attack that lasted two days. Nearly a dozen military troops were captured and later executed in a gruesome manner. Thousands of residents fled their homes, marking the third massive displacement in the town since 2014.
