Terrorists Free 11 Farmers, Still Hold 3 Hostages in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP militants have released 11 of the 14 individuals they abducted in Shawaram, a fishing village in Doron Baga, located in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The hostages included women and children.

This comes after a deadly attack by the terrorists, who recently killed over 40 farmers, most of whom were fishermen, in nearby Dumba, another village within the same local government area in northern Borno. Survivors of that attack reported that the militants had warned them against farming in the region, threatening to kill anyone who disobeyed their ban on agricultural activities.

The latest abduction occurred on February 13, 2025, when a notorious militant leader known as Commander Tar led his group to Shawaram, abducting 14 people, including women and children. Tar’s group has been a major threat to fishermen and farmers along the shores of Lake Chad.

According to a reliable local source, the terrorists demanded a ransom shortly after the abduction. A community leader, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that 11 hostages were released after the community managed to raise N1.4 million. However, three individuals remain captive, including one woman. The woman was taken alongside her father, but when the militants refused to release him, she chose to remain in captivity.

Commander Tar issued a new threat, warning that if the three remaining captives, including the woman, were not freed, she would be forced to marry one of the militants, and the others would face severe punishment.

As of Monday evening, no official statement had been issued by the Nigerian military or other security authorities regarding the incident.