
-
France could recognise Palestinian state 'in June': Macron
-
Tariff war could cut US-China goods trade by 80 percent: WTO chief
-
Europa League success 'massive' for Man Utd, says Amorim
-
Scheffler tunes out talk of history in Masters title defense
-
Turkey opposition to fight Erdogan 'until the end': leader tells AFP
-
Argentina braces for 24-hour strike as it awaits news on IMF loan
-
Volkswagen says first-quarter profits impacted by Trump tariffs
-
Hope fades as deaths mount in Dominican Republic nightclub disaster
-
Herd of animal puppets treks from Africa to Europe in climate action
-
'Versatile' Sudharsan helps Gujarat to top of IPL table
-
Israel says seizing 'large areas' of Gaza as strike kills 23
-
Trump stuns with tariffs reversal but hits China harder
-
Amazon to launch first batch of satellites rivaling Musk
-
Sudharsan, Krishna lead Gujarat to top of IPL table
-
Settlement champion Huckabee confirmed as US Israel envoy
-
Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days but hits China harder
-
US federal judges halt deportations of Venezuelans under wartime law
-
No direct LIV path to Masters but Ridley wants one elite tour
-
UK cinemas fight viral 'chicken jockey' trend
-
Russia denounces brief detention of government employee in France
-
Nepal fights wildfires and pollution amidst drier winter
-
Jamaican speed merchant Thompson seeks fast progress in 2025
-
'Horrible' Djokovic falls in Monte Carlo, first win for Alcaraz
-
Masters chief defends Cabrera invite after domestic violence convictions
-
Pentagon chief in Panama vows to counter China 'threat'
-
Trump's NASA chief pick says will 'prioritize' Mars mission
-
Europe's first Universal theme park to bring 'joy to Britain': PM
-
Trump tells US to 'be cool' as China, EU strike back
-
Djokovic crashes out in Monte Carlo, first win for Alcaraz
-
Over 120 dead in Dominican Republic nightclub disaster
-
Delta to trim capacity in light of weakening travel demand
-
Pressure builds on Afghans fearing arrest in Pakistan
-
From Freddy Kruegers to Peaky Blinders: a look at Ecuador's drug gangs
-
Postecoglou says 'general sentiment' points to Spurs exit
-
French group gets death threats over renaming of 'Negresse' district
-
Beijing rejects Ukraine claim 'many' Chinese fighting for Russia
-
Germany 'back on track' says Merz, unveiling new coalition
-
France struggles to find new home for two orcas after park closes
-
Alcaraz recovers from sluggish start to move into Monte Carlo last 16
-
Trump trade war escalates as China, EU counterattack
-
Stocks volatile, oil plunges as trade war cranks higher
-
US Treasury chief defends tariffs, warns against aligning with China
-
Beijing consumers mull spending habits as 'worrying' tariffs kick in
-
Stocks, oil plunge as US, China crank up trade war
-
Onana 'one of worst goalkeepers in Man Utd's history': Matic
-
Tata Steel to cut jobs at Dutch plant by 15%
-
Tata Steel to cut jobs at Dutch plant by 15 pct
-
Ex-Italy World Cup winner Cannavaro sacked as Dinamo Zagreb coach
-
'Curve ball': Irish whiskey producers fret over US tariffs
-
Trade war escalates as China hits US with huge tariff

Jihadists kill at least 40 farmers in northeast Nigeria
Jihadists have killed at least 40 farmers in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state in the latest violence to hit the conflict-wrought region, a government official said Monday.
Fighters from the Islamic State-aligned Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) late Sunday rounded up scores of farmers in Dumba on the shores of Lake Chad and shot them dead, Usman Tar, Borno state information commissioner said in a statement.
The "initial report indicates about 40 farmers have been killed while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families," Tar said.
The state government has ordered troops fighting jihadists in the region "to track and obliterate the insurgent elements" operating around Dumba and their enclaves in the wider Lake Chad area, Tar said.
The farmers "strayed off" the safe limit set by troops for farming and fishing in the area that is a sanctuary for militants from ISWAP and its Boko Haram rival and is dotted with landmines and "prone to nocturnal attacks", the commissioner said.
Lake Chad, which straddles Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, serves as a hideout for Boko Haram and ISWAP who use it as a base from which to launch attacks into the countries.
According to a Nigerian intelligence report seen by AFP, "casualties could be over 100 persons killed in the attack" which it blamed on ISWAP fighters.
- Punishment -
The farmers came from the region of Gwoza on the border with Cameroon to cultivate cowpea and onions on the shores of the freshwater lake, according to an anti-jihadist militia.
"The farmers had a deal with Boko Haram to farm in the Kwatar Yobe and Tudun Kanta near Dumba on the shores of the lake," Babakura Kolo, a militia leader told AFP.
"What they didn't know is that Lake Chad is demarcated between ISWAP and Boko Haram. While Boko Haram controls the islands in the lake, ISWAP controls the areas on the shores," Kolo said.
ISWAP attacked the farmers as punishment for encroaching on its territory without permission and payment of levies it usually imposes on farmers, fishermen and herders who want to operate in the area under its control, he added.
ISWAP and Boko Haram have been locked in deadly infighting for territorial control since their split in 2006 over ideological differences, which led to the killing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau during clashes in May 2021.
ISWAP dislodged Boko Haram from its traditional Sambisa Forest stronghold, forcing the rival militants into islands on the Niger side of Lake Chad.
- Toll is 'understatement' -
"ISWAP fighters were enraged on discovering the farmers had paid money to Boko Haram to farm in the area and decided to punish them by gathering them and opening fire on them," Kolo said.
He dismissed the death toll given by Tar as a "gross understatement", saying the casualties "far exceed that number."
"We are talking of more than 100 killed in the attack," he said.
Sallau Arzika, a fisherman in Baga who agreed with Kolo's casualty toll, said the farmers took an unnecessary risk by striking a deal with jihadists.
ISWAP and Boko Haram have increasingly targeted farmers, fishermen, loggers, herders and metal scrap collectors, accusing them of spying and passing information to the military and the local militia fighting them.
Since 2009, more than 40,000 people have been killed and around two million displaced from their homes in Nigeria's northeast by the jihadist conflict.
D.Schneider--BTB