Suspected Terrorists Kill 15 Farmers in Borno

At least 15 farmers and firewood gatherers have reportedly been killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims were ambushed while working on their farmlands around Ala and Musune wards on Wednesday evening, according to local sources.

According to reports from Punch, 18 people had gone to the farms, but only 15 bodies had been recovered and buried by Thursday. Three others remained missing as community members continued searching for them.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack on Friday, with its Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, telling Punch that 15 people were killed and others were still unaccounted for.

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

Daso said police efforts were ongoing to establish the whereabouts of the missing persons, adding that details of the incident remained limited while information was being gathered.

Local sources described the victims as peasant farmers and firewood collectors, including young men, married men and elderly residents.

One source, who requested anonymity, said the attackers restrained the victims and executed them at close range while they were carrying out their daily activities. The source also alleged that some victims were decapitated.

The source said community members had buried 15 of the victims and were still searching for the remaining three.

Another local source said residents retrieved the bodies from the farms and buried them in accordance with Islamic rites.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International condemned the killings, describing the attack as horrific and saying the targeting of civilians amounted to a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

In a statement on Friday, the organisation said the victims had ventured into the surrounding bush to gather firewood for their livelihoods and household needs when they were attacked by suspected Boko Haram fighters.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the horrific killing of at least 15 people on Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.

“The victims, who were local residents venturing into the surrounding bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group,” the statement read.

Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate, transparent and human rights-compliant steps to protect vulnerable communities in the region.