May 23, 2025
On the morning of May 15, armed militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) brutally killed 23 farmers and fishermen in Malam Karanti, a village near Baga in Nigeria’s Borno State. The victims, primarily bean farmers from Gwoza, had entered insurgent-controlled territory to work the land. According to a local security source, the massacre occurred around 9 a.m. Eighteen (18) individuals were also abducted and remain missing. ISWAP reportedly accused the victims of collaborating with a rival Boko Haram faction, highlighting ongoing violent rivalries between the groups over territory and dominance in the Lake Chad region. Conflict analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed the incident, noting its alignment with a disturbing trend of jihadist violence targeting rural communities engaged in farming and fishing.
Amnesty International condemned the attack as a possible war crime, urging the Nigerian government to enhance civilian protection and hold perpetrators accountable. The organization emphasized that Boko Haram has consistently targeted farmers and fishermen who refuse to pay insurgent levies or enter rival-held zones. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum warned locals against engaging insurgents for farmland access, stressing the lethal consequences. A Kukawa official said villagers often risk death simply to feed their families. Despite increased military activity, remote communities remain exposed. A 2023 Intersociety report identified Nigeria as the deadliest country for Christians, with over 52,000 killed by Islamist groups since 2009. With more than 2 million people still displaced, aid agencies fill critical gaps in food and shelter. Experts caution that without broader security reforms and support systems, extremist violence is likely to persist across the region.
Stay Awake. Keep Watch.
SOURCE: International Christian Concern