At least 14 farmers have been killed in an attack by a jihadist group in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, a local official said. According to officials, the death toll is likely to increase.

Farmers were attacked while working in their fields near Pulka town in Gobja district on Saturday. According to the political administrator of Gobza, Abba Shehu Timta, the army is searching for more bodies in nearby bush areas.

The area, which has been a victim of jihadist attacks in the past, is connected to the border of Cameroon. "The attackers killed 14 farmers working in the fields and injured four others," said Timta. He alleged that the attack was carried out by the Boko Haram group. 

 According to Timta, the attack started from the nearby village of Blei, where the attackers' camp is believed to be. Boko Haram and its rival group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), have in recent years targeted farmers, fishermen, firewood collectors, herders and low-class laborers who collect scrap metal.

Boko Haram has been attacking the Gobza region since 2014. That year, Boko Haram took control of the Gobza region, declaring it under its 'caliphate'. However, in 2015, the Nigerian army, with the help of the Chadian army, retook control of the area.

The governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum, had expressed concern only on Friday, the day before the attack, admitting that there were some military weaknesses in the fight against terrorism. Boko Haram is still continuing its attacks from the Mandara mountain range. Incidents of abducting women in the area and targeting those who went to collect wood and fruits are ongoing.