Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly slaughtered 14 Nigerian fishermen in Diffa, Niger Republic. The incident occurred on Sunday near Bosso, a border town close to Nigeria, according to an anti-jihadist militia leader.
The victims, who had fled violence in northeast Nigeria, were ambushed while fishing. Babakura Kolo, the leader of a vigilante group supporting Nigeria’s military, confirmed the killings. “All 14 fishermen had their throats slit by Boko Haram terrorists operating in the Bosso area near the border,” Kolo stated.
The fishermen hailed from Malam Fatori and Doron Baga in Nigeria. They were part of thousands displaced by repeated raids from armed groups, seeking refuge in Niger’s Diffa region. However, this area, which borders Nigeria and Chad, has become increasingly volatile due to escalating attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Despite ongoing military efforts, insurgency persists in the region. The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a state-supported militia in Nigeria, continues to assist the military in combating these jihadist groups. Ibrahim Liman, a CJTF operative, confirmed that the ambush occurred just a few kilometers from Malam Fatori on Nigerian soil and provided details of the casualties.
Northeastern Nigeria remains the epicenter of a 15-year conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced around two million people. According to the United Nations, approximately 138,000 of these displaced individuals have sought refuge in Niger Republic. Many rely on international aid, resorting to fishing, logging, and scavenging to survive.
Jihadist groups, however, often target civilians engaged in these activities, accusing them of spying for the military or local militias. In May, ISWAP militants killed several fishermen on three islands in Nigeria’s section of Lake Chad, reportedly in retaliation for military airstrikes that inflicted significant losses on their camps.
Lake Chad, a strategic resource straddling Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, remains a hub for Boko Haram and ISWAP operations. The groups exploit its terrain to launch cross-border attacks into neighboring countries, perpetuating violence in the region.
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