DAKAR, Senegal — A tragic attack in the Dumba community of Borno state, northeast Nigeria, has resulted in the deaths of at least 40 farmers, according to a government representative on Monday.
This incident, which occurred on Sunday, is believed to have been executed by militants associated with the Boko Haram group, along with its offshoot that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum urged residents to confine themselves to “safe zones” that the military has cleared of both extremist threats and explosive devices.
Governor Zulum also demanded a thorough investigation by the armed forces into this brutal incident.
“I want to reassure the residents of Borno that this unfortunate situation will be thoroughly examined for the necessary subsequent actions. I take this moment to urge the armed forces to pursue and respond forcefully to those responsible for this abhorrent violence against our innocent citizens,” he stated.
Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009, initially sought to eradicate Western education and enforce its extreme interpretation of Islamic law.
The ongoing conflict has become the longest militant struggle on the continent, with its effects rippling into neighboring countries.
The United Nations estimates that around 35,000 civilians have lost their lives and over 2 million people have been displaced in the northeastern region as a result of this turmoil.
The abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in 2014 from the village of Chibok in Borno state, the heart of this conflict, drew international outrage and captured global attention.
