110 farmers killed by Boko Haram was because they didn’t have clearance to farm – government
The Nigerian government on Monday said that the farmers brutally killed by Boko Haram in Borno state was because they did not get military clearance before visiting their farms.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in an interview with BBC on Monday.
He said while not blaming the victims for the incident, the truth must be said.
Shehu said, “The government is sad that this tragic incident has happened. 43 or thereabout of innocent farmworkers, most of them had their throats slit by a heartless band of terrorists. People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.
“Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields.”
Asked by the BBC if he is blaming the farmers for the attack, Shehu responded; “Not exactly but the truth has to be said. Was there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activity? I have been told by the military leaders that they had not been so advised and certainly, therefore, it was a window that the terrorists exploited.”
The President’s spokesman said terrorists had planted land mines in several places in Borno State and nobody ought to go to these places until the military has cleared such places.
He added, “The military is not present in every inch of space in that area. Even if the people are willing to go back, a lot of those areas have been mined and mine clearance needs to be carried out and those areas must be cast as being ok for human habitation or agricultural activity.”
Garba Shehu is the most senior member of the Buhari administration to hold an interview since the attack which the United Nations is now estimating to have left almost 110 people dead.
