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

The victims were reportedly ambushed while carrying out their activities around Ala and Musune wards on Wednesday evening.

According to local sources, 18 people had gone to the farms, but only 15 bodies were recovered and buried on Thursday. Three others remained missing as of Friday.

Police Confirm Attack

The Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the attack to PUNCH Online.

“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.

He added that details of the incident remained sketchy and that the command was still gathering information.

Victims Ambushed on Farmlands

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

One source alleged that the victims were ambushed while working, restrained and killed at close range. The source also alleged that some of the victims were decapitated, although this claim had not been independently verified.

Community members reportedly recovered the bodies from the area and buried them according to Islamic rites.

Amnesty International Condemns Killings

Amnesty International condemned the attack and called for urgent measures to protect civilians living in vulnerable communities in the region.

The organisation said the reported targeting of civilians by suspected Boko Haram fighters represented a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

mIt urged Nigerian authorities to take immediate, transparent and human-rights-compliant steps to improve the protection of communities affected by insurgent violence.

The police said efforts were continuing to establish the whereabouts of the three missing persons and gather further details about the attack.