Ebun Olowu
Presidential spokes person Garba Shehu has said 43 farmers killed by Boko Haram in Borno on Saturday, November 28 2020, did not get military clearance to go to the fields to harvest their crop.
Shehu, in a BBC interview today, 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.
Boko Haram members on Saturday attacked Zabarmari, about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, at the weekend, killing at least 45 farmers. though the United Nation had disputed the figures insisting that over 110 were killed in the attack
United Nations also described the attack as “the most violent attack” targeted at civilians in 2020.
Speaking on the attack, Garba Shehu blamed the farmers whom he said failed to do due diligence by first obtaining clearance from the military before visiting their farms.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
When pressed further if the farmers were to blame, he 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.”
“The military is not present on every inch of space in that area, Even if the people are ready to go back, some of these areas have been mined and mine clearance has to be carried out first”, he said.
