Nigeria: Boko Haram kill 19 shepherds in Nigeria.

Boko Haram kill 19 shepherds in Nigeria.
The Jihadists group on Saturday shot down 19 cattle herders in northeastern Nigeria, civilian militia and residents said.
According to the civilians, militia and several inhabitants, Fulani shepherds, beleaguered by a series of armed attacks targeting their cattle, pursued Boko Haram; which sparked a fierce shooting outside the village of Fuhe.
The latter were mastered by jihadists who were better armed, and much more trained, testified Mada, a resident of the village.

The bodies of the victims were brought to the police by military men, said Umar Kachalla, the head of the anti-jihadist militia.
Boko Haram is increasingly targeting farmers, ranchers and loggers whom they accuse of spying on them and passing on information to soldiers and local militry fighting them.
They also attacked farming communities, seizing livestock – a precious commodity in the region – to finance their operations.
Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) group are known to operate in areas around Ngala and the nearby town of Gamboru.
ISWAP has focused on targeting military installations and troops since 2018, while the Boko Haram faction is known for its indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
In August 2014, Boko Haram invaded Ngala and Gamboru, a shopping center, but Nigerian troops recaptured the two cities in September 2015 with the help of the Chadian military.
Despite the region’s reconquest, jihadist fighters continue to launch sporadic attacks, ambush troops and vehicles, and attack and kidnap farmers.
In November of last year, Boko Haram abducted about 50 loggers from the village of Bulakesa, near Gamboru.
The decade-long conflict has killed 35,000 people and displaced an estimated two million people from their homes.
The violence has spread to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, leading to the formation of a regional military coalition to fight the jihadists.

By Subiru Madina