15 farmers killed in Borno after suspected Boko Haram militants attacked residents in Marte Local Government Area of the state.
The incident happened around Ala and Musune wards on Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026. The victims had reportedly gone to their farms and nearby areas to carry out their daily activities when the attackers struck.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the deaths and said three other residents remained missing. Police officers have started efforts to establish the whereabouts of those who have not been found.
The attack has raised fresh concerns about the safety of rural residents who depend on farming and other activities outside their communities for their livelihoods.
15 Farmers Killed in Borno After Attack in Marte
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the attack through its Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso.
Daso said 15 people died in the incident, while the police continued efforts to locate the missing residents. He also said authorities were still gathering information because details about the attack remained limited.
“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. Fifteen people were killed while others are still missing,” Daso said, according to reports by PUNCH.
Police have promised to provide further information as officers establish more facts about the incident. The command has not released the identities of all the victims.
Local sources told PUNCH that 18 people had gone to the area before the attack. Residents later recovered 15 bodies and buried them according to Islamic rites.
The victims reportedly included young men, married residents and elderly people who had gone into the surrounding area to work on their farms or gather firewood.
One local source also alleged that the attackers ambushed the residents while they carried out their activities. However, police had not publicly confirmed those additional details.
The incident has created fresh anxiety among residents who depend on rural land for farming and other basic activities. Many families in the affected communities rely on agriculture to earn income and provide food.
Three Residents Remain Missing After Attack
Three residents remained missing after community members recovered the 15 bodies.
The police have continued efforts to determine what happened to the missing people. Their disappearance has added to the distress of families who are still waiting for information about their relatives.
The attack also highlights the risks that rural communities in Borno continue to face. Farmers often need to travel away from their homes to reach their farmland, while some residents gather firewood in surrounding areas for household use or income.
For communities affected by years of insurgency, such activities can expose residents to security threats. The latest incident has therefore renewed calls for stronger protection for civilians who depend on rural areas for their livelihoods.
Amnesty International has also condemned the killings. The organisation said the victims were local residents who entered surrounding areas to gather firewood for their families or to earn a living.
The rights group described the targeting of civilians by non-state armed groups as a serious violation of international humanitarian law. It called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to protect vulnerable communities in the North-East.
Amnesty International Calls for Civilian Protection
Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to take transparent and human-rights-compliant measures to protect residents in communities affected by insecurity.
The organisation’s reaction came after reports confirmed that the victims had been carrying out ordinary livelihood activities when the suspected militants attacked.
The latest killings add to the long-running security challenges in Borno State, where Boko Haram and other armed groups have carried out attacks and threatened communities for years.
For farmers in Marte and surrounding areas, access to farmland remains important because many families depend on agriculture for food and income. However, insecurity can make it difficult for residents to reach their farms or gather essential resources without facing danger.
The authorities now face the task of establishing the full circumstances of the latest attack and locating the three missing residents.
Police have said they will provide additional information as their investigation and data gathering continue. Until then, details that have not been independently confirmed should be treated with caution.
The latest police confirmation puts the death toll at 15, while three other residents remain missing. Families and community members are now waiting for further information as security personnel continue efforts to locate those who have not been accounted for.