Boko Haram insurgents kill 45 farmers in Borno

At least 45 farmers have been killed in Zamarmari area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

The farmers, killed at Kwashabe village, about 20 kilometers north of Maiduguri, Borno capital, were said to be working on their rice farm before the attack.

- Advertisement -

The farmers were attacked on Saturday as residents of the state were voting to elect local government council officials, for the first time in 13 years.

TheCable reports that one of the farmers, Nasiru Usman, who escaped during the attack, went to town with the news. He said the attackers also abducted seven farmers.

- Advertisement -

Usman said trouble started after some farmers apprehended a Boko Haram insurgent who approached them with request for food.

Unknowingly, he was accompanied by dozens of other militants who were hiding around the bush,” he said.

“So immediately they tied him and seized his guns, his other colleagues quickly stormed the scene, and opened fire on the farmers, while they took to their heels.

“At exactly 11am, the group declared a blanket killing against all the farmers harvesting their products. They began by abducting seven, then went on rampage and began killing everyone in sight.

READ ALSO: Amotekun rescues kidnapped wife of Akeredolu’s Chief of Staff

“So far, we have recovered up to 45 bodies. Our civilian JTF, police and Military are still searching for more bodies. We won’t know how many are missing for now since more bodies are still being found.”

Several bullet wounds were seen on the body of the deceased farmers, according to another source who helped in recovering the bodies and immediately prepared for burial.

A member of House Representatives, Ahmed Satomi, who represents Jere federal constituency also confirmed the incident in an interview with Premium Times.

“It was a very sad development that happened today at Zabarmari rice field general area,” he said.

“Farmers and fishermen were killed in cold blood. We have so far received 44 corpses from the farms and we are preparing for their burials tomorrow by God’s grace.”