Scores of residents in Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, have abandoned their homes following an ultimatum issued by ISWAP terrorists, warning them to leave or face death.
This development comes after a brutal attack last Sunday night where more than 35 fishermen were feared killed by ISWAP fighters.
Reliable sources revealed that the attack also left at least 25 people severely wounded, while around 30 others remain missing.
Reports indicate that ISWAP and the residents had coexisted without conflict for over a year until tensions recently escalated.
One survivor recounted the harrowing experience: “They claimed they wanted to preach to us, and we were deceived.
Instead, they gathered us, and their commander ordered our execution.
They accused us of betrayal, saying some among us were spying for enemies.”
He continued, “They opened fire on us. At least 35 people were killed, and over 30 managed to escape.
One of the terrorists was punished by their commander for allowing some of us to flee.
Ten more people have returned this morning, so more than 30 people are still missing.
We don’t know if they are alive or dead.”
The terrorists reportedly assembled many residents in the town and issued the ultimatum, causing widespread panic.
Modu Kukawa Ba’nna, a local resident, described the situation: “We were gathered this morning by the terrorist group and received the warning.
They said the deadline is Saturday, starting from today.
If we don’t leave the area by Saturday, we will face the consequences.
Many have left for Monguno, and we are leaving tomorrow before the deadline.”
Ba’nna noted that some residents have decided to stay despite the threats: “I have heard some people saying they were not going anywhere.
They said it is better to be under terrorists than to go back to starvation in the IDP camps.”
The community is currently in a state of panic, with many residents fleeing to nearby areas to avoid potential violence.
The government and security agencies have been urged to take swift action to protect the community and prevent further attacks.
An impeccable source informed Daily Trust that the residents of Kukawa town have been under ISWAP control, effectively being used as human shields for over a year.
The source added that the residents have been paying dues and taxes to the terrorists, as there were no local authorities in the town.
Another source suggested that the terrorists’ recent aggression was due to suspicions of betrayal by the locals.
“They lost many fighters recently, so they suspect that it was locals who were behind this,” the source said.
The victims of the attack were primarily fishermen from Monguno, Doron Baga, Cross Kauwa, and Baga towns.
At the time of filing this report, the authorities had yet to comment on the incident.
