Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 15 Farmers in Borno, Three Missing

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed 15 farmers and firewood gatherers in Ala and Musune wards of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims were allegedly ambushed on their farmlands on Wednesday evening while carrying out their daily activities.

Sources told our correspondent that 18 people had gone to the farms, but only 15 bodies had been recovered and buried as of Thursday, while three others remained missing.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack on Friday.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said efforts were ongoing to establish the whereabouts of the missing persons.

“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. 15 people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said.

The police spokesperson added that details of the incident were still sketchy, saying the command would provide further information once its data-gathering process was completed.

Local sources said the victims were mostly peasant farmers and firewood gatherers, including young men, married men and elderly members of the community.

One of the sources, who requested anonymity, alleged that the victims were ambushed, restrained and shot at close range.

“They were ambushed by terrorists while carrying out their daily work, bound, forced to lie down, and executed at close range,” the source said.

The source also alleged that some of the victims were decapitated, although the claim could not be independently verified.

“Many people were killed. Some were not even recognisable. So far, we have buried 15 out of the 18; we are currently searching for three persons,” the source added.

Another resident said community members recovered the bodies from the farmland and buried them in accordance with Islamic rites.

“It was after the incident that community members picked their bodies from the farm where they were massacred. The bodies found have been buried according to Islamic rites,” the source said.

Amnesty condemns killings

Human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned the attack, describing the killings as horrific and calling for increased protection of vulnerable communities in the region.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation said at least 15 people were killed in Marte Local Government Area on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

According to Amnesty International, the victims were local residents who had ventured into surrounding bush areas to gather firewood for their livelihoods or household needs.

The organisation said they were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group.

Amnesty International described the targeting of civilians by non-state armed actors as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

It called on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate, transparent and human-rights-compliant measures to protect communities vulnerable to attacks in the region.

The latest incident adds to the security challenges facing communities in Borno State, where civilians continue to face risks linked to insurgent activity and attacks on rural populations.

The police said efforts were ongoing to locate the three people still missing and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.