BY YUNUSA BUNU ZANNA, APRIL 30, 2025 | 08:57 PM
Again, Boko Haram terrorists have killed 17 fishermen in the Fadana-Garuwa River, located in Duji Ward of Mobbar local government area in faraway northern Borno.
The attack was launched on Sunday around 2 p.m., according to local sources.
The river, which straddles the border between Nigeria and Niger, lies just a few kilometers from Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar.
Sources reported that approximately 30 armed militants arrived on motorcycles and targeted the fishermen while they were working along the river.
'They gathered the fishermen and slaughtered all of them as punishment for allegedly siding with the Islamic State West Africa Province, faction,' a local source revealed.
The fishermen were reportedly granted access to fish in the river by ISWAP militants, to whom they paid a form of tax.
However, members of the rival faction of Boko Haram—believed to be based across the river in Niger—allegedly carried out the attack in retaliation, opposing any allegiance to ISWAP.
'This was meant to serve as a warning to others,' the source added.
Villagers were able to recover the bodies of the 17 victims and conducted burial rites on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic tradition.
The incident comes amid a renewed escalation in attacks by both the ISWAP and BH factions on civilians and military targets.
Just last week, Nigeria’s federal and state ministers of defense, accompanied by service chiefs led by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, visited Maiduguri to meet with Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State Governor.
The discussions focused on the deteriorating security situation across the state.
Over the past two months, multiple military formations have been attacked, resulting in the deaths of soldiers—including commanding officers—and the looting of weapons and food supplies intended for Sallah celebrations.
Security sources disclosed that many of the recent assaults, particularly those in the Timbuktu Triangle and Pulka, Gwoza LGA, were carried out by a newly arrived elite unit of Boko Haram fighters.
Numbering fewer than 300, the group is reportedly equipped with sophisticated weaponry, including fighter drones and heavy machinery, and operates independent of other factions.
Governor Zulum confirmed these developments, stating that the group uses surveillance drones to scout military positions before launching aerial and ground assaults.
He cited the recent attack in Wulgo, where troops were overwhelmed by drone-assisted bombings.
He warned that these attackers are not just regrouping—they are evolving, Zulum warned, adding that the use of drones in combat is now a reality we cannot ignore.
There is growing concern among state officials and residents that the recent gains in the fight against insurgency could be reversed if urgent and decisive military action is not taken.
Additionally, the increasing number of repentant Boko Haram members returning to towns due to hunger and poverty presents a new threat.
Many are suspected of acting as informants for active terrorist cells in exchange for stipends and support.
YERWA EXPRESS NEWS has drawn attention and noted that without a comprehensive and sustained military campaign to dismantle all insurgent factions, the region may face a dangerous resurgence—especially if any significant portion of the over 100,000 former insurgents decides to rejoin the conflict.
Conflict Reporting is dangerous and risky. Our reporters constantly face life-threatening challenges, sometimes surviving ambushes, kidnap attempts and attacks by the whiskers as they travel and go into communities to get authentic and firsthand information. But we dare it every day, nonetheless, in order to keep you informed of the true situation of the victims, the trends in the conflicts and ultimately help in peace building processes. But these come at huge cost to us. We are therefore appealing to you to help our cause by donating to us through any of the following means. You can also donate working tools, which are even more primary to our work. We thank you sincerely as you help our cause.
Alternatively, you can also email us on
info@yen.ng or message us
via +234 803 931 7767
