At least 82 Boko Haram insurgents have been reported dead following a violent inter-ethnic clash that unfolded in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The incident, which took place near the Lake Chad fringes, marked a surprising turn of events within the insurgent group.
Local sources residing in Baga, , as well as security sources, confirmed the confrontation to DailyTrust, shedding light on the circumstances leading to the deadly clash.
According to reports, the unrest was triggered by the execution of seven Boko Haram fighters affiliated with the Buduma tribe.
These individuals were purportedly sentenced to death by firing squad by their own commander on Bukkwaram Island. The punishment came after their unsuccessful attempt to surrender to the Nigerian military the previous day.
The betrayal of their surrender plans by their fellow fighters culminated in the executions, setting off a chain reaction of inter-ethnic violence. The conflict pitted members of four major tribes – Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, and Buduma – against each other, raising tensions and igniting an intense ethnic crisis.
Inside sources reveal that during a subsequent meeting attended by commanders from various tribes, an agreement was reached to allow fighters to disperse to their chosen locations. However, a Buduma tribe commander, Baduma Bakura, reportedly resisted this decision. Bakura, who had arrived at the meeting from a base in Niger Republic, demanded an investigation into the killing of his tribal members.
Tensions flared during the heated exchange, and tragedy struck when a Fulani fighter shot and killed Bakura. The altercation swiftly escalated into a violent firefight, leading to the deaths of a total of 82 fighters. The chaotic scene made it difficult to discern between Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) members, emphasizing the purely ethnic nature of the conflict.
Sources within the security community revealed that many of the deceased fighters were recognizable figures who had previously fled from areas such as Baga, Doron Baga, and Kukawa. These insurgents sought refuge in Niger Republic and other parts of the Sahel, only to return and find themselves caught in the midst of the ethnic unrest.
The clash dealt a significant blow to the Boko Haram faction involved, resulting in substantial losses. While the exact number of commanders affected remains uncertain, the repercussions of the confrontation have been felt deeply within the group’s ranks. Several surviving Buduma fighters reportedly fled to neighboring Chad as tensions escalated.
