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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

Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive

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Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have cleared several terrorist enclaves and neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs during an ongoing offensive into the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, involved troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) and 26 Task Force Brigade, operating in conjunction with vigilante forces.

According to the source, the troops departed their Harbour Area at about 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, and conducted clearance operations along designated withdrawal routes within the Sambisa axis.

“The troops successfully cleared the terrorist enclaves of Garin Kago, Garin Alhaji Bita and Garin Malam Muazu during the operation,” the source said.

The areas were described as active terrorist locations; however, the insurgents reportedly fled before the arrival of the advancing troops.

“Despite the terrorists’ withdrawal, several life-support structures within the enclaves were identified and destroyed in line with operational guidelines,” the source added.

During the withdrawal phase, troops encountered three buried IEDs, which were promptly detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team without incident.

The troops later returned safely to Brigade Headquarters at about 4:45 p.m., while casualties recorded during the operation were immediately evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Hospital for further medical attention.

The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist networks, dismantle logistics bases and deny insurgents freedom of movement within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.

Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive

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Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Sambisa Forest

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Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Sambisa Forest

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered arms during clearance operations into the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.

Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted on Dec. 29 by troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hybrid forces and hunters.

According to the sources , the troops, led by the Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade, advanced from their harbour area towards Tokumbere and Lagara axes en route to Sabil Huda to link up with troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade.

The sources said that the troops successfully cleared Tokumbere and Lagara communities before making contact with a Boko Haram/ISWAP delay party along the axis.

The sources said the troops engaged the terrorists with heavy volume of fire, neutralising two of them, while others fled in disarray, possibly with gunshot wounds.

The sources added that troops conducted exploitation of the general area without further contact.

During the exploitation, the military said one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition were recovered.
End

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Crime

Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno

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Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised one terrorist during an ambush operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted at about 6:05 p.m. on Dec. 28 in Ladantar area of Bama LGA.

According to the sources , troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Mayanti, laid an ambush in conjunction with volunteer forces at the Ladantar axis.

The sources said that the ambush team made contact with the terrorists at about 11:45 p.m. and engaged them, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist, while others fled in disarray.

The sources added that there were no casualties on the side of the troops during the operation.

It said the troops also recovered a fabric mat believed to belong to the terrorists.

Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno

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