Mon Jan 13 15:51:17 UTC 2025: ## Boko Haram and ISWAP Suspected in Massacre of 40 Nigerian Farmers

**Maiduguri, Nigeria** – At least 40 farmers were killed in a brutal attack by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP militants in Borno State, Nigeria, on Sunday. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and Information Commissioner Usman Tar confirmed the massacre on Monday, stating that the armed groups rounded up the farmers near Lake Chad and executed them.

Commissioner Tar reported that while approximately 40 deaths have been confirmed, the whereabouts of many others who escaped remain unknown. The state government has deployed soldiers to hunt down the perpetrators and eliminate their presence in the Dumba region and surrounding areas of Lake Chad.

The attack occurred after the farmers ventured beyond designated safe zones established by the Nigerian armed forces. These zones are designed to protect civilians from the ongoing conflict with Boko Haram and ISWAP, who utilize the Lake Chad region as a base for operations. The area is known to be heavily mined and prone to night-time attacks.

Governor Zulum issued a stern warning to civilians to remain within the designated safe zones, urging adherence to security protocols. He also announced a full military investigation into the incident. The ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, fueled by Boko Haram and ISWAP, has claimed the lives of an estimated 35,000 civilians and displaced over two million, according to the United Nations. Lake Chad, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, serves as a key hideout and launchpad for these militant groups.

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