ISWAP Ambush Claims Lives of Four Local Hunters in Borno as USCIRF Flags Nigeria Over Religious Violence

In a tragic incident that underscores the persistent threat of insurgency in Nigeria’s northeastern region, four members of a local hunting association were killed in an ambush by suspected militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The attack occurred in Ajiri Gongo village, Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, on Saturday, April 20, at approximately 1:10 p.m.

According to a report shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on his verified 𝕏 account, the victims — Bukar Hajjabe (50), Bulama Karim (45), Idrisa Gote (40), and Modu Aisami (38)—were on a hunting expedition as part of the Lawanti Ward Hunters Group when they were ambushed. In addition to the killings, the attackers seized four pump-action rifles from the group, adding to the operational threat posed by such insurgent elements.

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Local Community Mourns as Authorities Respond

The chilling attack was reported by the chairman of the hunters group, Ali Kulloma, the following evening on Sunday, April 21, around 5:45 p.m. Upon receiving the report, a combined team of security forces was promptly deployed to the area to secure the scene and recover the bodies.

The remains of the slain hunters were transported to the General Hospital in Dikwa, where they were confirmed dead. They were subsequently returned to their families for burial in line with Islamic traditions. The attack is the latest in a series of brutal assaults targeting local defense volunteers, who often operate with limited protection in conflict-prone zones.

The incident has sparked grief and anger among local communities and security observers, who continue to call for intensified counterterrorism efforts across Nigeria’s northeastern corridor.

USCIRF Flags Nigeria Over Religious Freedom Violations and Insurgent Threats

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has raised global concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating security and religious freedom situation. In its 2025 annual report, the Commission urged the U.S. government, under former President Donald Trump’s administration framework, to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. This envoy, USCIRF argued, would help coordinate and strengthen U.S. diplomatic actions in response to ongoing religious freedom violations and the risk of atrocities in the region.

The report criticized the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu, accusing it and various state authorities of either tolerating or failing to adequately respond to religiously-motivated violence perpetrated by nonstate actors. These groups include Islamist insurgents such as ISWAP and Boko Haram, as well as Fulani militants, all of whom have continued to target vulnerable religious communities.

Call for Stronger Global Sanctions and Designations

As part of its broader recommendations, USCIRF has called on the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), joining countries such as Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam. The Commission also advocated for the redesignation of notorious terrorist entities, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, as “Entities of Particular Concern” (EPCs) — a move that reinforces international pressure for tougher sanctions and coordinated counterterrorism measures.

In addition, the report proposed the continued listing of nations like China, North Korea, and Iran as CPCs, and recommended placing ten additional countries, including Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, on the Special Watch List (SWL) due to rising religious repression and violent extremism.

The USCIRF report has intensified scrutiny on Nigeria’s security apparatus and its handling of religious and ethnic violence, even as grassroots communities like Dikwa continue to bear the brunt of the insurgency.

A Call to Action

As Nigeria confronts a critical security and human rights challenge, analysts are calling for a multipronged strategy — including stronger intelligence gathering, better community policing, increased regional cooperation, and decisive international support.

The deaths of the four hunters in Ajiri Gongo stand as a grim reminder of the sacrifice made by local defense forces and the urgent need for sustained efforts to root out extremist violence from the region.