Reports have emerged indicating that fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have tragically claimed the lives of at least 15 fishermen and inflicted injuries on many others.
The harrowing incident occurred in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, unfolding around 10:40 pm on Sunday at the Tumbun Rogo Kangarwa Ward on the edges of Lake Chad, where fishermen were preparing for their nightly fishing endeavors.
Quoting a source, “They came and opened fire on our people, 15 people were killed, while others, who managed to escape, sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving treatment at Cross Kauwa.”
Another source revealed ISWAP’s pattern of targeting fishermen, especially when their supply routes are hindered by military actions, seizing their goods for their own purposes.
The devastated community, grappling with the loss, conducted Islamic burials for the victims while lamenting the recurring assaults. “This incident has left us (fishing community) in a state of shock. This is the third time they attacked us. We urge the authorities to take action to ensure our security and safety,” expressed one source.
Tragically, this is not the first instance of such brutality, as a prior attack claimed the lives of 9 fishermen, with terrorists scavenging their bodies for valuables.