Suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have publicly executed two tribal leaders in Borno State, accusing them of working with the Nigerian government and undermining the group’s authority in the region.
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The incident reportedly took place in Limbere, a remote town in Abadam Local Government Area. Witnesses said ISWAP militants summoned a large crowd before carrying out the execution, which they claimed was a punishment for the victims’ “betrayal.”
Local sources revealed that the victims were influential community leaders from the Damasak axis, close to the Nigeria-Niger border. They were accused of collecting levies from local herders and farmers and allegedly channeling the proceeds to government officials. ISWAP also alleged that the men used their influence to mobilize resistance against its operations.
The militants said the victims were tried by their so-called “court,” which found them guilty of treason and aiding “apostate forces.” The execution, followed by a public display of the corpses, was intended as a warning to other community members.
Residents reported that the militants issued threats to the crowd, warning them against cooperating with security forces or government officials, adding that any such collaboration would attract “grave consequences.”
Although the Nigerian military is yet to issue an official statement, sources say counterinsurgency operations are ongoing across Borno’s northern axis. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have raised concerns that the growing violence is worsening the already critical humanitarian situation in northeastern Nigeria.
