Suspected extremists kill at least 40 farmers in Nigeria

Suspected members of Islamic militant group Boko Haram killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while y were harvesting crops in Nigeria’s rrn Bor State, officials said.

attack was std Saturday in a rice field in Garin Kwashebe, a Bor community kwn for rice farming, on day residents of state were casting votes for first time in 13 years to elect local government councils, though many didn’t go to cast ir ballots.

farmers were reportedly rounded up and summarily killed by armed insurgents.

Malam Zabarmari, a leer of a rice farmers association in Bor state, confirmed massacre to Associated Press.

“ farmers were attacked at Garin-Kwashebe rice field in Zabarmari community, and according to reports reaching us since afteron, about 40 of m were killed,” he said, ding that it likely could be up to 60 people killed.

Nigerian President Muhammu Buhari expressed grief over killings.

“I condemn killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Bor State. entire country is hurt by se senseless killings. My thoughts are with ir families in this time of grief. May ir souls Rest In Peace,” he said in a statement.

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

A member of House of Representatives, Ahmed Satomi, who represents Jere Federal constituency of Bor, said at least 44 burials will take place Sunday.

“Farmers and fishermen were killed in cold blood. Over 60 farmers were affected, but we only have so far received 44 corpses from farms and we are preparing for ir burials today, Sunday by God’s grace,” he said.

federal lawmaker said farmers were attacked because y h disarmed and arrested a Boko Haram gunman on Friday who h been tormenting m.

“A lone gunman, who was a member of Boko Haram came to harass farmers by ordering m to give him money and also cook for him. While he was waiting for food to be cooked, farmers seized moment he stepped into toilet to snatch his rifle and tied him up,” he said.

“y later handed him over to security. But sly, security forces did t protect courous farmer. And in reprisal for daring m, Boko Haram mobilized and came to attack m on ir farms.”

Insurgents also torched rice farms before leaving, he said.

Im credits: AP