UN condemns killing of farmers, fishermen in Borno

The United Nations has condemned the senseless killing of about 30 civilians including farmers and fishermen in Mukdolo village, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered some traders were also ambushed and murdered on Wednesday by suspected fighters of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province, ISWAP.

The report had it that at least ten more fishermen/farmers escaped the attack, three sustained bullet wounds, and others still missing.

The terrorists reportedly tortured and killed the captives after invading the village on motorcycles with erratic gunshots.

UN, in a statement by its Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale extended the country’s condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured persons a speedy recovery.

He noted that the victims of the heinous attack “were fishermen and farmers eking out a livelihood in a very insecure environment”.

They included both internally displaced persons, IDPs, and host community members from the neighbouring Dikwa Local Government Area, the official noted.

Schmale described the attack as another horrific reminder of the insecurity that IDPs and others affected by 13 years of armed conflict in the region face daily.

The coordinator observed Mukdolo had been abandoned before the attack due to the activities of non-state armed groups.

“I remind all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians from harm,” he added, calling for a probe of the latest crime and prosecution of the perpetrators.