Mass burial conducted for 147 civilians killed by Boko Haram terrorists in Baga, Borno state
A mass burial on Thursday, was conducted for 147 civilians killed by Boko Haram terrorists on the 12 of January, 2025.
The 147 victims according to Amnesty International, were farmers and fishermen at Dumba near Baga of Borno state.
Mr. Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement revealed that Boko Haram rounded up the farmers and fishermen, separated the men and shot them at close range.
He said those of them who attempted to escape were chased down and killed while dozens more were injured.
While responding to the killing, Isa Sanusi, condemned the utter disregard for human life and rules of international humanitarian law by Boko Haram.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the executions of these civilians which, once again, shows Boko Haram’s utter disregard for the sanctity of human life and for rules of international humanitarian law. Boko Haram must be held to account for its years of atrocities, including war crimes.
“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, a resident of Baga told Amnesty International that dozens of people were injured during the raid.
Since 2020 Boko Haram has been targeting farmers and fisherman around the Lake Chad. The armed conflict in northeast Nigeria has been ongoing since at least 2011 and it has created a humanitarian crisis, with more than 2,000,000 people displaced, according to the UN.
Amnesty International has repeatedly documented crimes under international law and other serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian military in the context of the conflict in northeast Nigeria.
