Iran Press/ Africa: In a phone call, Luka Joshua, a resident of Borno told Iran Press correspondent that only God knows the exact number of the soldiers killed.
The terrorists killed soldiers and civilian JTF like goats. There were more than 50 members of the Civilian Joint Tasks Force (JTF) and hunters who were helping the soldiers who went to search for the bodies of the farmers in the bush who had not returned to their families yesterday.
The one that escaped the attack informed us that on their way to Dumba village, they recovered at least 15 slain farmers littered on the ground. After they buried the dead bodies, they continued moving but before they arrived in Dumba, the soldiers came under heavy attack by Boko Haram terrorists.
Many soldiers and the civilian JTF were killed, but the truth is, that the soldiers always hide the number of their personnel killed.
In response to the Iran Press correspondent asking Luka about the number of dead, he said: "Nobody can tell the specific number because there are dead bodies in the bush. If soldiers said 50 were killed, if you investigate you'll find out that more than 100 have been killed. But the number of the confirmed JTF (volunteer fighters) and hunters who were helping the soldiers that were killed is more than 54. And for the soldiers that died, their number is unspecified."
In his statement about the Wednesday attack, Isa Sunusi, director of Amnesty International in Nigeria expressed concern about the deterioration of the situation in Borno State. "Our findings show that Boko Haram rounded up the farmers and fishermen, separated the men, and shot them at close range."
Those who attempted to flee were pursued and killed while dozens more were injured. A search for dead bodies is still ongoing while a mass burial is being planned for those killed. As well as killings targeting civilians, Boko Haram continues to abduct women and girls and extensively loot property. The fact that such atrocities remain commonplace shows that more needs to be done to protect civilians and ensure that families of victims receive reparation and justice.
”Meanwhile, the United Nations also has expressed deep concern about the killing of farmers and fishermen, describing it as horrific. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, extended condolences to the families of the victims and called for accountability."I am horrified by the recent mass killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State’s Kukawa Local Government Area reportedly by members of a non-state armed group.
On 12 January, at least 40 civilians, all men, were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in Kukawa after allegedly breaching an NSAG ban on farming activities. Several people remain missing, according to humanitarian partners operating in neighboring Monguno LGA.
"The armed actors who perpetrated these attacks must be identified and brought to account in compliance with national and international human rights laws,” he said.
“The UN remains committed to supporting affected people to complement government efforts. I also call for enhanced security measures and urge parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm,” he added. On Sunday 12 January, At least 40 farmers were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
