Buhari Shocked As Boko Haram Slaughters Over 43 Farmers In Borno

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and grieve over the killings of more than 43 Farmers in Borno state by Boko Haram terrorists Saturday.

The farmers were killed while in rice fields at Zabarmari, in Jere Local Government of Borno State.

“I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State. The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls Rest In Peace.”

President Buhari said the government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”

Sources said local hunters involved in search operations had retrieved 43 bodies of farmers with their throats slit.

Both police and the state government are yet to comment on the incident. It is thought the victims were labourers from Sokoto state in northwest Nigeria, roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) away, who had travelled to the northeast to find work, the AFP reported, quoting Ibrahim Liman, a member of the Civilian JTF.

“There were 60 farmers who were contracted to harvest paddy in the rice fields. Forty-three were slaughtered, with six injured,” Liman said. Eight others were missing, presumed to have been kidnapped by the jihadists, the agency reports Liman saying.

The bodies were taken to Zabarmari village, two kilometres away, where they would be kept ahead of burial on Sunday, said resident Mala Bunu who took part in the search and rescue operation.