Abuja: Tragedy has once again struck Nigeria's Christian community. In a brutal assault in Borno State’s Kukawa County, militants affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ruthlessly killed 23 farmers and fishermen. The attackers, heavily armed, also kidnapped 18 others, whose fate remains uncertain as search and rescue efforts continue.

Conflict analyst and counter-insurgency expert Sagasola Makama confirmed the killings, noting that this attack reflects a disturbing pattern. “These militant groups are deliberately targeting defenseless rural communities, especially those engaged in agriculture and fishing,” he stated. The region has seen escalating violence as jihadist factions increase their grip on remote areas.

Amnesty International has condemned the killings, urging the Nigerian government to bolster its efforts to protect civilians, particularly in the northeastern regions plagued by extremist violence. The organization also stressed the urgent need for thorough investigations and the prosecution of the perpetrators behind such atrocities.

This latest massacre underscores the continuing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, where religious and ethnic tensions are frequently exploited by armed groups, leaving civilian populations vulnerable to repeated acts of terror.