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ISWAP Kills Several Farmers Despite Agreement to Allow Farming in Enclave

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ISWAP Kills Several Farmers Despite Agreement to Allow Farming in Enclave

By Zagazola Makama

Fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) on Sunday evening killed several farmers in Daban Gajere, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, in what appeared to be a betrayal of an earlier agreement to permit farming activities in their enclave.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the farmers had negotiated with a faction of ISWAP, paying levies to secure access to farmland near Daban Leda, close to Mangari, approximately eight kilometers from Baga town. The arrangement was intended to allow them to cultivate their crops without interference.

However, another ISWAP group, unaware of the agreement, intercepted the farmers and opened fire, killing several of them.

Chairman of the Lake Chad Fishermen Association, Abubakar Gamandi, confirmed the incident. He explained that some survivors of the attack had reported the betrayal by the armed group.

“Our farmers were killed after they went to the ISWAP enclave to farm. They had made an arrangement with ISWAP and paid them money. Unfortunately, another faction of ISWAP, unaware of the agreement, attacked them. This is what the survivors who escaped told us,” Gamandi said.

He noted that the exact number of casualties remains unclear as more survivors are still emerging from the area. “Only when they all come out can we ascertain the total number of casualties,” he added.

Zagazola understands that the Nigerian military had established secure perimeters where farmers and fishermen could operate under military protection. However, some farmers opted to negotiate directly with ISWAP, bypassing the safe zones. This decision, unfortunately, resulted in tragic consequences.

In some instances, farmers and fishermen who enter ISWAP controlled areas are used as couriers or logistical suppliers. When they fail to meet demands, they are accused of espionage and face severe consequences.

The incident demonstrates the precarious and complex relationship between civilians and armed groups in conflict affected areas. Desperate to sustain their livelihoods, civilians often take significant risks that expose them to violence or death.

Despite the dangers, over 2,000 farmers and fishermen are reportedly still operating in ISWAP enclaves, often caught in crossfire during rival clashes or killed by factions that suspect them of betrayal.

ISWAP Kills Several Farmers Despite Agreement to Allow Farming in Enclave

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Crime

Police repel Boko Haram attack on Gujba Division in Yobe

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Police repel Boko Haram attack on Gujba Division in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

The Yobe State Police Command says it has successfully repelled a coordinated attack by suspected Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) elements on the Gujba Police Division in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred late Thursday night but was promptly resisted by officers on duty at the formation.

According to the source, there was no casualty recorded among police personnel during the attack, while no arms were lost and no damage was done to patrol vehicles.

“The hoodlums were repelled promptly. There was no casualty on our personnel, no arm was lost and no patrol vehicle was damaged,” the source said.

He added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Gujba Division was conducting a detailed assessment of the incident and would submit a comprehensive report to the command.

The source noted that Gujba and its environs remained one of the notorious flashpoints for insurgent activities in Yobe State.

As at the time of filing this report, the Yobe State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while security around the area had been reinforced to forestall further attacks.

Police repel Boko Haram attack on Gujba Division in Yobe

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Crime

Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter

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Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have decimated terrorists from the Mandara Mountains during an early-morning attempt to infiltrate Bitta community in Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday when troops, operating surveillance systems, detected the movement of the terrorists advancing toward the area.

According to the sources, the troops tactically allowed the insurgents to enter a designated killing range before unleashing coordinated defensive fire, neutralising several of the attackers, including a top terrorist fighter and his cameraman.

The sources added that follow-on precision strikes were subsequently conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, further decimating the fleeing insurgents.

Items recovered from the scene included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, hand-held radios, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG-linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.

During exploitation of the area, troops reportedly traced several blood trails and discovered shallow graves, indicating additional casualties inflicted on the terrorists during the encounter.

Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter

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Crime

Eight police personnel injured in road accident in Borno

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Eight police personnel injured in road accident in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Eight police personnel and eight other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in a motor vehicle accident along the Rann–Maiduguri axis in Borno State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at Musene village in Ngala Local Government Area.

The source said the accident involved a Toyota Hilux patrol vehicle conveying police personnel escorting electoral materials and officials of the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC) from Rann to Maiduguri, and a Sharon car.

According to the source, the vehicles had a head-on collision due to poor visibility caused by heavy dust along the road.

The injured police personnel were all attached to Kal-Balge Division.

The source added that eight passengers in the Sharon car, including an immigration officer whose identity was not disclosed, also sustained injuries.

Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ngala led a Motor Traffic Department (MTD) team to the scene, where photographs and relevant measurements were taken.

The sources said that all the injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Ngala, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively, the source said.

The case is under investigation.

Eight police personnel injured in road accident in Borno

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