Boko Haram Behead Women Accused of Using ‘Charms’ in Gwoza
Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly executed at least two women in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after accusing them of possessing charms and engaging in “shirk,” a religious offence the group frequently uses to justify extrajudicial killings.
The incident, reported by counterinsurgency sources familiar with developments in the Lake Chad region, occurred within the Mandara Mountain belt, a notorious hideout for the extremist group. According to the report, the women were intercepted by Boko Haram fighters during routine internal checks around their enclave. Upon discovering what the militants described as charms, the women were branded apostates. They were allegedly subjected to a summary execution without any form of investigation, questioning, or defence — a method consistent with the group’s long-established pattern of enforcing harsh ideological rules on civilians trapped within their territory. Witness accounts gathered from the region suggest that the militants have intensified internal “moral enforcement” operations in recent weeks. These operations often target women, who face severe restrictions and are vulnerable to accusations involving spirituality, superstition, or behaviour deemed improper by the insurgents’ extremist interpretation of Islam. The Mandara Mountains, stretching along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, remain one of the most challenging terrains for security forces to penetrate. Despite ongoing military operations under Operation Hadin Kai, Boko Haram and ISWAP factions continue to operate within remote pockets, carrying out attacks, imposing their version of religious law, and punishing civilians without restraint. Communities in Gwoza have experienced some of the most violent episodes of the insurgency in recent years, including suicide bombings, abductions, and raids on villages. The latest incident has heightened fears among residents, many of whom remain displaced or avoid travelling through certain routes due to the constant threat posed by the militants. Human rights organisations have repeatedly documented Boko Haram’s systemic abuse of women, noting that accusations involving charms, witchcraft, or other symbolic objects are often used to justify extreme punishments. In past incidents, women have been executed, abducted, or forced into marriage under similar allegations, reinforcing the group’s longstanding pattern of gender-based violence. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military and Borno State authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the latest killings. Verification remains difficult due to restricted access to the affected region and disrupted communication channels.
