Suspected Islamists kill Nigerian villagers collecting firewood
Suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants killed at least 18 villagers who had gone into the bush to collect firewood in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, local leaders and security sources said.
Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 18 villagers in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state who were out collecting firewood, local leaders and security sources reported. The attack occurred on Thursday in Marte Local Government Area, one of the regions most severely impacted by the 17-year-old insurgency. Other villagers remain missing following the ambush.
Armed groups, driven by various motives including the creation of a Caliphate, plunder, ransoms, and the recruitment of kidnapped individuals, have carried out numerous attacks, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions. Villagers have faced threats while venturing into rebel territories to gather farming supplies and firewood.
The traditional leader of Marte confirmed that 18 bodies had been recovered after the attackers ambushed the villagers. A high-ranking military official stated that troops were conducting clearance operations in the area and pursuing the assailants. The ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria is primarily carried out by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
