In a tragic escalation of violence, Boko Haram fighters have reportedly killed 14 Nigerian fishermen in the Diffa region of neighboring Niger. This horrific attack came to light when a local anti-jihadist militia, which works alongside Nigeria’s military, disclosed details to AFP on Tuesday.
The fishermen were part of a larger group of Nigerians who fled the persistent violence and deadly raids carried out by armed groups in Nigeria’s northeastern region. They sought refuge across the border in Niger, particularly in areas like Diffa, to escape the turmoil affecting their homes. Originally hailing from the Nigerian towns of Malam Fatori and Doron Baga, these individuals were engaged in fishing when the attack unfolded on Sunday.
According to Babakura Kolo, a leader of a local vigilante group, the victims were brutally murdered, with all 14 having their throats slit by Boko Haram terrorists operating in the vicinity of the Bosso area, close to the border. Ibrahim Liman, another member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), corroborated this account, noting that the attack occurred just a few kilometers from Malam Fatori on the Nigerian side.
The northeast of Nigeria has been marred by a protracted conflict that has spanned over 15 years, resulting in the deaths of more than 40,000 people and displacing approximately two million individuals from their homes. The United Nations estimates that around 138,000 of these displaced persons have sought refuge in Niger. Many of those who have fled rely heavily on international aid for their survival, often turning to activities such as fishing, logging, and scavenging for metal scraps to sustain themselves and supplement the limited rations provided to them.
Boko Haram and its rival group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have increasingly targeted vulnerable groups such as loggers, herders, farmers, fishermen, and metal scrap collectors. These groups accuse such individuals of being spies or providing information about their movements to the army and allied militia forces, further endangering livelihoods in the region.
The situation remains dire, as evidenced by a previous incident in May where ISWAP militants killed dozens of fishermen on three islands located on the Nigerian side of Lake Chad. That assault was reportedly in retaliation for military airstrikes that had targeted ISWAP camps, resulting in numerous casualties among their fighters and families.
Lake Chad, which spans Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, has become a critical sanctuary for both Boko Haram and ISWAP. The lake serves as a launching point for their attacks into the surrounding countries, complicating efforts to stabilize the region and safeguard the lives of those living there.
