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Eighteen loggers have been killed in a Boko Haram attack in Borno State, local sources told AFP on Thursday, as displaced families in the region struggle to survive amid dwindling aid and escalating violence.
The attack happened on Wednesday in the village of Abaram, located in the Bama district. Fighters on motorcycles surrounded a group of loggers who had gone into the bush and opened fire, according to witnesses.
“We recovered 11 bodies yesterday and seven more today, making a total of 18 killed in the attack,” said Ibrahim Liman, a member of a local anti-jihadist militia working with the military.
He explained that the search continued on Thursday morning when some of the loggers failed to return home.
“Initially, we thought only 11 were killed, but when others did not show up this morning, a search was launched and seven more bodies were found in the bush,” Liman added.
Bukar Ibrahim, a resident of Bama town, confirmed the death toll and said all victims suffered gunshot wounds.
He said seven of the loggers were chased into the bush as they tried to flee and were shot, which delayed the discovery of their bodies.
Boko Haram and the rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have regularly targeted loggers, farmers, fishermen, and scrap collectors, accusing them of spying for the military.
The insurgency, now in its 17th year, has left tens of thousands dead and forced millions from their homes. Many displaced persons live in makeshift camps and previously depended on food aid from international charities.
