Suspected Boko Haram militants kill 18 villagers in Nigeria's Borno state

October 2, 2026 at 10:07 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 18 villagers collecting firewood in Marte Local Government Area, Borno state, Nigeria, on Thursday. Troops have launched clearance operations and are pursuing the attackers, while other villagers remain missing.

Key Facts

At least 18 bodies were recovered after the attack in Marte Local Government Area, according to the traditional ruler of Marte.
The attack occurred on Thursday in Marte Local Government Area, one of the areas hardest hit by the 17-year-old insurgency.
A senior military officer said troops had launched clearance operations in the area and were pursuing the attackers.
Other villagers were still missing after the attack, local leaders and security sources said.

The Attack

Suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants killed at least 18 villagers who had gone into the bush to collect firewood in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state. The attack occurred on Thursday in Marte Local Government Area, one of the areas hardest hit by a 17-year-old insurgency. The traditional ruler of Marte said 18 bodies had been recovered after the attackers ambushed the villagers. Other villagers were still missing after the attack, local leaders and security sources said.

Military Response

A senior military officer said troops had launched clearance operations in the area and were pursuing the attackers. Villagers have come under attack as they stray into rebel areas while pushing into the bush for farming and firewood. Armed groups — some seeking to carve out a Caliphate in the region, others seeking plunder or ransoms and recruits from kidnappings — have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions in regular raids.

Insurgency Context

The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria is led mainly by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province. Armed groups have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions in regular raids over the 17-year-old insurgency.