Amnesty International has strongly condemned the brutal killing of 23 farmers and fishermen by Boko Haram insurgents in Malam Karanti village, Borno State. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, underscores the urgent need for Nigerian authorities to enhance the protection of civilians in the conflict-ridden northeast.
In a statement on Thursday, Amnesty described the incident as a clear violation of international law. “The deliberate targeting and killing of civilians, along with the destruction of their property, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. These acts must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice,” the organization said.
Amnesty International noted that since 2020, it has been documenting attacks on farmers and fishermen by Boko Haram for reasons ranging from refusal to pay illegal levies, alleged support for rival armed groups, or failure to comply with extremist directives on farming and fishing practices.
The organization called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take all lawful and necessary steps to restore security in the northeast and ensure the safety and rights of all civilians.
“The Nigerian government must act decisively to end these atrocities and uphold its responsibility to protect lives,” the statement concluded.
