Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed at least 14 people, including farmers and vigilantes, in a series of attacks near Pulka town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Emir of Gwoza, Mohammed Shehu Timta, confirmed the tragic incident, explaining that two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were ambushed and killed along the Kirawa road under Pulka District on Friday. The next day, 12 other civilians—mostly farmers and firewood collectors—were attacked and killed while clearing their farmlands in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.

According to Abba Shehu Timta, the political administrator of the district, the terrorists launched the deadly assault from their camp in nearby Vlei village. Search and rescue operations, supported by troops, were ongoing in the surrounding bush areas, with fears that the death toll could rise.

“We buried 10 victims and evacuated two others with life-threatening injuries to Maiduguri for medical treatment,” Emir Timta said. “It’s a sad day for our community, losing brave Civilian JTF members who dedicated their lives to protecting us.”

The Emir offered prayers for the deceased, asking God to grant them eternal rest and give their families strength to bear the loss. He also praised the efforts of the military and the state government in combating insurgency but appealed for greater use of technology such as drones to more effectively tackle the jihadist threat.

The attacks come at a critical time as farmers prepare their fields for the planting season. Fear has now gripped the community, with many too scared to return to their farmlands, raising concerns about food security.

Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have increasingly targeted farmers, fishermen, and firewood collectors in Borno, accusing them of collaborating with the military and local militias. Since the insurgency began in 2009, over 40,000 people have been killed and around two million displaced across northeastern Nigeria. The violence has also spilled into neighboring Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, prompting a regional military response.

Despite military gains, including the recapture of Gwoza town in 2015, Boko Haram militants continue to operate from hideouts in the Mandara Mountains and other remote areas, sustaining a cycle of deadly raids, abductions, and destruction.