A thorough investigation is ongoing to find the perpetrators who beat and stabbed a woman CJTF member and left her body, which was badly bruised with multiple stab wounds, in the river

Unknown gunmen, suspected of being Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)

insurgents, have stabbed, badly beaten and killed a woman civilian joint task force (CJTF) member, leaving her corpse in the Hausari River in the Damboa district of Borno State.

The incident occurred on Monday night, October 23. Falmata Grema’s corpse was found stripped, except for her skirt and brassiere, on Tuesday. She was buried according to Islamic rites on Tuesday.

Security operatives are investigating her death.

Daja Mustapha, a resident of Damboa town and Falmata’s brother, told RNI that his sister left home on Monday evening after she had finished cooking.

When she did not return, her relatives searched throughout the night before they – with soldiers and CJTF members – found her corpse in the river.

“My sister was happily married with three children before she was mercilessly killed by unknown gunmen. We don’t know for sure if they were Boko Haram [JAS] insurgents or criminals. To the best of my knowledge, she had no enemies among her friends or coworkers. We suspect insurgents committed this cruel act. We pray to Almighty Allah to expose her murderers.”

Mohammed Abbas, a CJTF member, told RNI that soldiers, CJTF and other security operatives had found Falmata in the Hausari River. He confirmed that she had been stripped but added that she had been brutally beaten and there were bruises on her body. She had also been stabbed multiple times.

Abbas said that Falmata had been a member of the CJTF for almost 10 years. He described her as “extremely dedicated and hardworking”.

The army and CJTF are investigating, he said.

Just three weeks ago, on October 4, a young farmer’s corpse was found in the Hausari River. Ibrahim Bukar was attacked by gunmen, thought to be insurgents. However, instead of shooting Bukar, the attackers drowned him.

Residents told RNI that Bukar was returning from his farmlands. He was confronted by the unknown gunmen, who dragged him into the river and drowned him. They said it was the first time insurgents had killed someone in that manner.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO