In a devastating attack, at least 40 farmers were killed in Dumba, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with several others still missing. The assault, believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants, occurred on Sunday at around 4:30 pm. Confirming the incident, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said investigations had commenced, noting, “Initial findings show about 40 fatalities, while efforts are ongoing to trace those who fled the attack and reunite them with their families.”
Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the massacre and urged the military to intensify efforts to neutralize insurgents in Dumba and other Lake Chad areas. Reports indicate the victims were targeted after crossing a military-designated safety boundary meant to shield residents from terrorist zones.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, assured the public that military airstrikes are executed with precision, adhering to strict protocols to avoid civilian casualties. He explained, “Civilians are never deliberately targeted. Each airstrike is meticulously planned.” Musa also expressed concern about the generational impact of terrorism, warning that children raised in extremist environments could become even more dangerous. “Children exposed to violence grow up normalizing such acts, lacking empathy and compassion,” he added.
In efforts to dismantle the financial networks sustaining insurgency, Musa highlighted collaborations between the Federal Government and international organizations like the UN and EU. Agencies such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the Central Bank of Nigeria are actively tracking and cutting off funding sources for terrorist groups.
The military is also considering legal action against Reuters over a report alleging the forced termination of 10,000 pregnancies by Nigerian forces. General Musa criticized the report as baseless, saying, “Investigations disproved the claims, yet Reuters failed to retract or apologize.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Army has pledged full support for the military, promising adequate funding in the 2025 budget to enhance operations and troop welfare. Chairman Aminu Balele reaffirmed, “We are committed to providing the resources needed to secure the nation.”
