Tragedy struck Malam Karanti, a remote village near Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, on Thursday morning as suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) killed at least 23 farmers and fishermen.
The victims, mostly beans farmers from Gwoza, had reportedly entered into an agreement with a faction of Boko Haram to allow them to farm and fish in areas under the group’s control, in exchange for regular levies. However, Malam Karanti lies within the operational territory of ISWAP, which is known for aggressively asserting its dominance and punishing perceived disloyalty.
According to a report by counterinsurgency expert Zagozola Makama, local sources revealed that the insurgents stormed the village around 9:00 a.m., rounded up the farmers and fishermen, and executed 23 of them, accusing them of collaborating with a rival faction.
“The terrorists spared an elderly man, who later returned to the community and raised the alarm. They accused the victims of working with Boko Haram and defying ISWAP’s control. Most of them were beans farmers from Gwoza who paid Boko Haram to use the land,” a local vigilante source said.
Attempts to retrieve the bodies were thwarted when the insurgents returned and fired upon the search party, forcing them to flee.
This is not the first time civilians have paid with their lives after relying on informal arrangements with insurgent groups. Last year, dozens of farmers were similarly killed in Dumba village, also near Baga, after allegedly violating a non-aggression pact with a terrorist faction.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly cautioned residents against making covert deals with insurgents for access to land and waterways. He warns such arrangements not only fuel terrorism but also leave civilians vulnerable to violent reprisals stemming from inter-group rivalries.
“Unfortunately, some locals continue to trust the terrorists, believing that paying levies or cooperating will protect them,” said a local official. “But history has shown that these groups turn against them at the slightest suspicion or territorial dispute.”
Despite the high risk, residents often venture into volatile areas like Malam Karanti in search of livelihood, driven by poverty and growing food insecurity in the region.
