Terrorists believed to be members of the Islamic State of the West African (ISWAP) have shot dead 35 fishermen at Mukdolo river in the Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The terrorists were said to have surrounded the fishermen near the riverbanks and opened fire on them, killing 35 with only few of them escaping.
A report by Daily Trust quoted a survivor as saying the victims were internally displaced persons from Dikwa town who went on fishing expedition.
He said, “They rode on motorbikes from a nearby forest and surrounded us at riverbanks and they said they have warned us to stay away from there.
“They started shooting at all angles and only three of us made it back to Dikwa. I can tell you more than 35 people were killed. As I speak many are yet to return to Dikwa town.”
Speaking on the incident, Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, said dozens of the terrorists riding on motorcycles stormed the field and began shooting sporadically.
He said nine among the victims managed to flee, with three of them sustaining bullet wounds.
Makama said, “They asked them to lie down. Thereafter, they used their fishing net and wrapped them before they started torturing them. After they became unconscious, they opened fire on them, killing them instantly.
“The bodies of the 26 farmers were later recovered during search and rescue operation by troops who received the news from victims who fled the attack.” (Daily Trust)
