Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed 18 fishermen in a deadly attack on the Fadana-Garuwa River in Duji Ward, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
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The assault occurred on Sunday around 2:30 pm when the attackers, riding motorcycles, stormed the riverside and rounded up fishermen before executing them. Several others remain missing following the incident.
Local sources indicated that the terrorists accused the fishermen of collaborating with the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), a rival faction. The attackers reportedly believed the victims had been passing information to ISWAP fighters and carried out the killings as a form of reprisal.
It was gathered that the fishermen had been granted access to the river by ISWAP elements, who controlled the area and collected levies from them. The region, located near the Niger Republic border, has long witnessed power struggles between Boko Haram and ISWAP, often resulting in violent confrontations and attacks on civilians.
The bodies of the 18 victims have been recovered, while search efforts continue for those still unaccounted for.
