Date: October 2, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
At least 15 residents were killed in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State after suspected Boko Haram fighters allegedly ambushed people who had ventured into surrounding bush areas to gather firewood and carry out other daily activities, Amnesty International said.
The attack occurred in Marte Local Government Area, where residents continue to face serious security risks when travelling outside their communities for farming, gathering firewood and other livelihood activities. Amnesty International condemned the killings and called on Nigerian authorities to strengthen protection for civilians living in vulnerable areas.
According to information reported by police and human rights officials, the violence took place between late Wednesday and early Thursday in the villages of Ala, Gummna and Musune, about 130 kilometres northeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Borno State police spokesperson Nahum Daso confirmed the deaths and said security forces were also working to establish the whereabouts of three residents who remained missing.
Community members recovered the bodies of the victims from surrounding bushland and buried them on Thursday evening in accordance with Islamic burial traditions. Residents said those killed included young men and older members of the community who had been carrying out routine activities, including gathering firewood and tending crops.
Amnesty International said the victims had entered the surrounding bush either to gather firewood for cooking or to earn a living. The organisation said they were ambushed and targeted by suspected members of Boko Haram.
“The victims, who were local residents venturing into the surrounding bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group,” Amnesty International said in a statement reported by SaharaReporters.
The organisation described the killing of civilians as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and urged the Nigerian government to take immediate steps to protect communities exposed to attacks in Marte and other parts of northeastern Nigeria.
Amnesty International also called for a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the killings. It said such an investigation should establish what happened, identify those responsible and ensure that suspects are brought before the courts in accordance with due process.
The latest violence highlights the continuing dangers faced by rural communities in Borno, where residents often depend on access to surrounding farmland and bush areas for food, cooking fuel and income. Security concerns can make those essential activities particularly dangerous for civilians living in areas affected by insurgent violence.
Boko Haram and other armed groups have carried out attacks against civilians and military targets in northeastern Nigeria for more than a decade. Although Nigerian security forces have conducted extensive military operations against insurgents, attacks and security incidents continue to affect communities in parts of Borno State.
The circumstances surrounding the Marte killings remain under investigation. While police and human rights officials have attributed the attack to suspected Boko Haram fighters, the identities of the perpetrators and the precise circumstances of the killings had not been independently established in the reports available on Friday.
Authorities now face calls to locate the three residents reported missing, investigate the deaths and strengthen security measures for civilians who must leave their communities to farm, collect firewood or obtain other basic necessities. Amnesty International said protection of vulnerable rural communities should remain a priority while any investigation proceeds.