UN Denounces Atrocities in Borno, Demands Justice for Victims

The United Nations has unequivocally condemned the massacre of civilians in Kukawa, a locality in Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. The chilling event unfolded on January 12, 2025, in Dumba community, claiming the lives of at least 40 individuals, predominantly farmers and fishermen, who reportedly defied a farming prohibition imposed by a non-state armed faction.
In a statement, Mohamed Malick, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, described the barbaric act as horrifying and deeply troubling. Extending condolences to the grieving families, Malick emphasized the UN’s solidarity with both the residents of Borno and the state government, while wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
Malick further insisted on accountability, demanding that those responsible for the heinous crime be identified and prosecuted under both national and international human rights statutes.
“The armed individuals who orchestrated these attacks must be brought to justice, in alignment with established human rights laws,” Malick declared.
The statement underscored that this attack serves as yet another stark reminder of the persistent perils faced by civilians in conflict-ridden regions across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, where survival remains an arduous endeavor.
In 2024, a series of assaults against civilians painted a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis. Among these, in February, hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs), including women, boys, and girls, were reportedly abducted by non-state armed groups in Ngala Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, while venturing beyond protective trenches to collect firewood.
In June 2024, a devastating suicide bombing in Gwoza LGA left scores of civilians dead or grievously injured. Similarly, in July 2024, suspected armed factions targeted farmers in Firgi community, also in Gwoza LGA, resulting in numerous fatalities and the abduction of two women and seven teenage girls—later released.
The carnage extended into September 2024, when over 100 men and boys lost their lives in an attack by armed elements in Mafa, Yobe State’s Tarmuwa LGA. Additional incidents were reported in Borno’s Dikwa, Logomane, Ngala, and Pulka areas, further illustrating the dire humanitarian landscape.
The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting those affected by these tragic events, complementing government efforts to restore security and provide relief.
Malick also urged for bolstered security measures while calling on all parties involved in the conflict to honor their obligations under international humanitarian law to safeguard civilians from harm.
“I implore all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian principles, ensuring the protection of innocent lives amid this conflict,” he concluded.