The United Nations has strongly condemned the recent mass killing of civilians in the Kukawa area of Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. A statement from the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick, described the tragic killing of at least 40 civilians in Dumba community on January 12, 2025, allegedly by members of a non-state armed group, as horrifying.
The victims, predominantly farmers and fishermen, were reportedly killed for allegedly violating a ban imposed by the non-state armed group on farming activities. Malick expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery, reaffirming the UN’s solidarity with both the people and government of Borno State. He called for the identification and prosecution of those responsible, insisting that the perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
“The armed actors who carried out these attacks must be identified and held accountable in accordance with national and international human rights laws,” Malick stated.
The UN’s statement also highlighted that this attack is yet another stark reminder of the ongoing dangers civilians face in conflict-affected regions of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. In 2024, several similar attacks occurred, including the abduction of hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by non-state armed groups in Ngala LGA, Borno, in February, many of whom were women and children. The victims had ventured beyond safety zones in search of firewood.
Other attacks in 2024 included suicide bombings in Gwoza LGA, Borno, in June, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, and an attack in Firgi, also in Gwoza LGA, in July, where farmers were targeted, leading to multiple deaths and the abduction of women and girls. In September 2024, more than 100 men and boys were killed in an attack on Mafa in Yobe State’s Tarmuwa LGA.
Additional incidents were reported in areas like Dikwa, Logomane, Ngala, and Pulka in Borno. The UN reiterated its commitment to supporting affected communities and complementing the government’s efforts to address the crisis.
