Killed 43 farmers by Boko Haram in Borno didn’t have clearance to farm —Presidency

The Presidency on Monday blamed the 43 rice farmers killed in Borno on Saturday for not getting military clearance before going to their farms.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu told BBC on Monday that the farmers should have waited for military clearance before embarking on farming.

Garba Shehu said though the military is in “full control” of all parts of Borno, the farmers and residents ought to get clearance before visiting certain areas.

Recalls than 43 rice farmers were killed by Boko Haram in Zabarmari, about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, at the weekend.

Read Also: Boko Haram terrorists slaughter 43 farmers in Borno

The attack was described by the United Nations as “the most violent attack” targeted at civilians in 2020, noting that those killed are about 110.

The presidential aide, however, blamed the farmers over the incident, saying they shouldn’t have gone to the farms without clearance.

“People need to understand what it is like in the Lake Chad area. Much of those areas have been liberated by Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced.

“Ideally, all of these places ought to probably be allowed to pass the test of military clearance before settlers or even farmers resume activities on those fields.”

However, when the BBC clarified if he was blaming the farmers for the attack, Shehu 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.”