UN: At Least 110 Rice Farmers Butchered By Boko Haram In Borno Village

The United Nations (UN) resident humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, said, on Sunday, that fatalities from Saturday massacre of rice farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists were higher than the 43 widely reported.

The top UN official declared that at least 110 farmers were slaughtered by the Boko Haram jihadists as they unleashed mayhem on Koshobe village near Maiduguri, the state capital.

“At least 110 civilians were ruthlessly killed and many others were wounded in this attack,” Mr. Kallon said in a statement.

“The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year. I call for the perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice.”

Kallon also cited “reports that several women may have been kidnapped”. He called for their immediate release and safe return to their families.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babaganan Umara Zulum, who attended the burial of the victims on Sunday in the nearby village of Zabarmari, disclosed that the death toll could spike after search operations resumed.

According to a pro-government anti-jihadist militia, the assailants reportedly tied up the agricultural workers and slit their throats.

The victims were among labourers from Sokoto State who had travelled about 1,000 kilometres to Borno State in search of work.

Apart from those who died in the attack, six of the farmers were also wounded while eight were still missing as of Saturday.