Terrorists Ambush and Kill 15 Firewood Gatherers in Deadly Borno Attack
Maiduguri, Nigeria—October 3, 2026—At least 15 villagers, mostly peasant farmers and firewood gatherers, were killed in a brutal ambush by suspected Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, one of the areas hardest hit by Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.
The attack occurred around Ala and Musune wards (with some reports also naming Gummna) late Wednesday into Thursday.
Local sources said about 18 residents had ventured into the surrounding bush to tend farms and collect firewood—a daily necessity for cooking and income in the impoverished communities near the Lake Chad Basin—when they were set upon by the gunmen.
Community members later recovered 15 bodies and buried them on Thursday in accordance with Islamic rites. Three other people who went out with the group remain missing, and search efforts continue.
Police Confirm Attack, Order Investigation
Borno State Police Command Public Relations Officer Nahum Daso confirmed the incident to journalists on Friday. “Yes, there was an attack in Marte. 15 people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said, adding that details were still being gathered.
Commissioner of Police Nasiru Abdulmajid has ordered a full investigation. Security sources indicated that troops have launched clearance operations in the area in pursuit of the attackers.
Local accounts described a particularly ruthless assault. One community source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the victims were ambushed while working, bound, forced to lie down, and executed at close range.
Some reports alleged that a number of the bodies were difficult to identify, with claims of decapitation circulating among residents.
The victims included young men, married men, and elderly residents who depended on farming and firewood collection for survival.
Amnesty International Condemns Killings
Amnesty International issued a strong statement condemning the attack as a “horrific” targeting of civilians and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
The organization noted that the victims were ordinary residents who had simply gone into the bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families.
“Local farmers in the area continue to face these extreme risks on a daily basis,” Amnesty said, urging Nigerian authorities to take immediate and effective measures to protect vulnerable rural communities in the northeast.
Persistent Threat in Marte and Beyond
Marte, located roughly 130 kilometres northeast of Maiduguri, has long been a flashpoint in the 17-year insurgency led primarily by Boko Haram and its ISWAP offshoot.
Armed groups have repeatedly targeted civilians who venture into contested or rebel-influenced areas for farming, firewood, or other livelihood activities.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria. Despite ongoing military operations, residents in many parts of Borno continue to live under the constant shadow of sudden violence.
As families bury their dead and search for the missing, the latest attack once again highlights the fragile security situation facing ordinary Nigerians simply trying to provide for their households in one of the country’s most dangerous regions.
Security agencies say investigations and clearance operations are underway. Further updates are expected as more details emerge.
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