Affiliates of Boko Haram or ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP) killed 23 farmers and fishermen in a terrorist attack last weekend, sparking widespread outrage and concern.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, citing local sources, armed militants linked to ISIS-West Africa executed at least 23 civilians and abducted 18 others in the village of Malam, located about five kilometers from Baga.

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The militants reportedly gathered the farmers and fishermen at a site near the village, killed them in cold blood, and left only one elderly man alive, who later informed the local community of the massacre. A local resident said: “The terrorists gathered the people in Malam Karanti and killed them. Most of the victims were bean farmers.”

Attempts to recover the victims’ bodies were thwarted when ISIS fighters launched a second attack, forcing locals and security forces to retreat. A source told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We tried to organize a recovery operation with security forces, but the terrorists came back and stopped us. Many families are still waiting for their loved ones.”

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A Terrorist Stronghold in the Lake Chad Basin

Malam Karanti lies within the Lake Chad basin, a known stronghold for ISIS-West Africa. Despite the ever-present danger, locals had continued farming and fishing activities — a testament to their courage and perseverance.

Amnesty International described the terrorist assault as a “barbaric act” that highlights the urgent need for the Nigerian government to do more to protect civilians from the violence of armed groups.

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In a press statement issued on Saturday, the organization emphasized that “deliberately targeting civilians, killing them, and destroying their property amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The perpetrators must be subject to thorough and transparent investigations.”

Amnesty further noted that since 2020, it has documented similar incidents in which Boko Haram fighters slaughtered farmers and fishermen, often for reasons such as refusing to pay illegal taxes, paying rival armed groups, or disobeying rules related to farming and fishing.

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Escalation of Terrorist Attacks Against Nigerian Military

The security situation in Nigeria is rapidly deteriorating, with a significant escalation in terrorist operations. Just last week, Boko Haram and ISIS militants attacked four military bases in Borno State between Monday and Tuesday, killing several soldiers and seizing military equipment.

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