At least 110 people were killed in an attack on farmworkers in Northeast Nigeria during the weekend. The attack has been termed as the most brutal and senseless attack on civilians in the jihadists-ridden state this year. The attack also occurred on the day that the state was expected to hold the long-delayed elections.
The attacks occurred in the villages near Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno state which has been grappling with insurgents allied to ISIS; Boko Haram as well as its splinter group the officially recognized Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Intelligence reports indicated that ISWAP is likely responsible for the attack seeing as the group has been more active in the region attacked.
The armed terrorists arrived on motorcycles as is the commonly used mode of transport ambushing farm workers harvesting rice and ruthlessly slit the throats of the innocent civilians. While the attacks were carried in several villages it was majorly concentrated in Koshebe village.
ISWAP and Boko Haram have been blamed for increasing attacks on loggers, farmers, and fishermen whom they accuse of spying for the army and pro-government militia. Like other terror organizations in Africa, the groups kidnap women and youth as well as impose zakat on residents to boost their income and finance their attacks on government and security apparatus in the state.
