Boko Haram terrorists assemble Borno farmers, open fire, 40 killed, many hospitalised

Boko Haram terrorists assemble Borno farmers, open fire, 40 killed, many hospitalised

 

At least 40 farmers were killed in cold blood on Sunday in Borno by Boko Haram terrorists, who accused them of being informants of the military.

The incident occurred around 3pm at Dumba community in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Details of the heinous act came Monday evening with one of the survivors saying the death figure could be around 70 as the terrorists assembled about 1,000 of them; the children and women separated from men before opening fire on them in their farms.

They said the terrorists accused the farmers of conniving with troops despite the “permission” given them by the insurgents to carry out their farming activities.

The operation reportedly lasted about three hours and those injured currently receiving treatment at Baga General Hospital and Monguno General Hospital.

It was leant that the insurgents would usually grant permit to farmers ready to strictly follow their terms.

A fisherman, who participated in the rescue of surviving farmers, was quoted by Daily Trust as saying, “Unfortunately, these people (the victims) didn’t get clearance from the Boko Haram terrorists. So they considered them informants.

“They rounded them up in different groups, gathered them in one place and opened fire of them.”

He added, “The soldiers are stationed in Mile 4 which is less 5 kilometres from where the incident happened.”

He also said that “visiting certain places in the Lake Chad is not possible because they are mostly under the control of Boko Haram terrorists, and for more than 10 years, going there remains an invitation to death.

“To tell you the truth, the military has not reclaimed an inch from where they were stationed since the operation started in Baga 10 years back, what kind of operation is that?”, he asked.

“You cannot go to the water around Dukuri, Kwalaram, Meri, Shuwaram to catch fish. The boys are in total control of that location,” he said.

He said all the people killed in the attack were bean farmers from Gwoza, adding that “one of them, Abba Gwoza, had cultivated a vast hectares of land and harvested onions worth over N30 million.”

The Borno State Government has confirmed that 40 farmers were killed in the attack.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, said Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned the attack and called on the military to track and get rid of the criminals.

“Investigation has commenced on the circumstances behind this attack.

“Initial report indicates about 40 farmers have been killed while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families,” he stated.