Presidency gives reason for ‘unfortunate’ deaths of 43 Borno farmers, killed by Boko Haram terrorists

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s condemnation Sunday of what he described as insane killing of 43 farmers in a Borno State community of Koshobe by Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday, the Presidency has given reason the sad terrorist attacks happened with a view to avoiding future occurrence.

It gave the reason during an interview granted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in the early hours of Monday.

According to the interview, which the Presidential Spokesman confirmed to The DEFENDER that he granted when he replied to the media organisation’s text to check his handles, Mallam Shehu regretted that the sad event possibly took place because the farmers, who walked into the evil merchants in an area still being sweeped by military, did not get clearance to proceed to farm before they did.

He noted that the military is not present on every inch of space in that area,” adding that, “Even if the people are ready to go back, some of these areas have been mined and mine clearance has to be carried out first.”

The Presidential Aide said that farmers, who were killed, did not have military clearance to be on the rice farms considering the fact, according to some other comments, even in parts of North West, farmers have been under military cover to farm and are now living in peace.

Shehu stated further that people need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.

According to him, although much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists, there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced.

His words: “The government is sad that this tragic incident has happened. 43 or thereabout of innocent farmworkers, most of them had their throats slit by a heartless band of terrorists. People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.

“Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields.”

Asked if he was blaming the farmers, he said “Not exactly, but the truth has to be said. Is there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activities? I have been told by the military leaders that they have not been so advised.”

“The military is not present on every inch of space in that area,” he said, adding: “Even if the people are ready to go back, some of these areas have been mined and mine clearance has to be carried out first.”

The DEFENDER reports that Boko Haram terrorists killed some 43 farm workers and injured six in rice fields near in a Borno State community on Saturday.

The assailants reportedly tied up the agricultural workers and slit their throats in the village of Koshobe.