Just as we think is over with the pogrom of the insurgents, 43 rice farmers were butchered by the dreaded Boko Haram element yesterday while working on their local rice farm at Zabarmari village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno state.
It was gathered that the victims were busy cultivating their rice plantation at Koshebe in Zabarmari village, located at the outskirt of the Maiduguri town when the suspected terrorist stroked murdering them in their number.
Zabarmari village is known for rice and other crop cultivation over the years as they are predominantly farmers.
A source who participated in the search and rescue operations revealed that most of the victims had their throat slit which is typical of Boko Haram's style of a massacre. He said, “We have recovered 43 corpses. The attackers slaughtered all of them,”
Then Hunter added, “As we speak, there is great disquiet and mourning in our communities,”
Mallam Hassan, a Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Zabarmari corroborated the incident saying it is unfortunate that Nigerians who the real hardworking are dying in numbers for no just cause.
According to Hassan, the farmers were peaceful workers tilling their farms when the daredevils attacked them, killing 43 of them which include women and children.
The ASP Edet Okon, the spokesperson of Borno Police command when contacted revealed he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Meanwhile, the House of Reps Member, Satomi Ahmed did not reply to the message sent to him.
Unlike their colleagues in far fling locations, people in communities near Maiduguri have had the opportunity of cultivating their farms.
The Borno state authorities were yet to make a statement concerning the incident, and farmers in the community for the fear of the unknown had fled the area leaving it as a ghost town for the second time after the community was deserted during the initial onslaught of the 11years of insurgency.
Governor Babagana Zulum had since September commenced the relocation of IDPs from the state capital and other local government headquarters to their respective ancestral homes, believing the calmness was gradually returning.
Borno state had about 32 official IDP camps located at different parts of the state capital apart from the fleeing villagers’ who are staying with their relatives.