Amidst wide condemnation of the 43 slain Borno farmers by the Boko Haram insurgents, gunmen struck again in both Kaduna and Plateau states killing eight and 2 persons respectively.
The Borno rice farmers were killed Saturday on their farms at Koshebe village, a place in Mafa local government area of the state.
They were buried early Sunday morning where Governor Babagana Umara Zulum joined kinsmen and other residents to give the deceased persons befitting burial.
The victims were from Zabarmari, a farming community famous for rice cultivation in Jere local government area of the state.
At the solemn event, the governor was told by residents that the death toll could not be ascertained as there were some residents still missing after the deadly attack.
“Your Excellency, as you have seen here, 43 corpses were buried, but others have not been retrieved from the scene of the incident. Nobody can tell you the exact number of people killed. Some of the victims are still missing” a resident who spoke under anonymity told the governor.
Addressing relations and sympathisers of the deceased, Governor Zulum reiterated the call for the enlistment of able youth as agro rangers to give the insurgency fight a further boost.
He said: “First of all, accept my deepest sympathy over this carnage, once again, that affects all of us and every human with conscience. I am told some persons are still missing. We have been discussing with the military since yesterday, In sha Allah the remaining people will be traced soon.”
Turning to journalists on his entourage, the grief-stricken governor said: “It is disheartening that more than 40 citizens were slaughtered while they were working in their farmlands.
“Our people are in very difficult situations, they are in two different extreme conditions. On one side, they stay at home they may be killed by hunger and starvation, on the other, they go out to their farmlands and risk getting killed by the insurgents.
“This is very sad. We are still appealing to the federal government to ensure recruitment of more of our youths in the CJTF and hunters into the Nigerian military and the Civil Defence so that they can form part of the agro rangers that will protect farmers.
“We need many boots to protect farmlands and our youths understand the terrain. We will not lose hope because we have to remain optimistic about ending the insurgency.”
Kaduna
The death toll in weekend attacks on Ungwan Pah and Ungwan Bido villages of Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state has risen to eight, just as security operatives arrested two more suspects in connection with the attacks.
The house of four other people were burnt by the attackers, a development believed to be reprisal following the killing of a herder in neighbouring Ungwan Pah of the same local government Saturday.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, announced this Sunday in an update on the security situation in the state.
He said the two children earlier declared missing, have been rescued from the forest and reunited with their parents.
“The Kaduna state government has received further operational feedback from the military under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) that had earlier informed government about the killing of a herder and six locals at Ungwan Pah and Ungwan Bido, Jema’a local government area.
“In the second operational feedback, the military stated that Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have arrested two suspects linked to the counter killing of today, Sunday, 29th November 2020, at Ungwan Bido, Jema’a local government area where six persons were killed:
“The suspects linked to the killing of the six are Ardo Ahmadu Alhassan and Abubakar Isyaku. The military had on Saturday arrested three suspects linked to the killing of a herder, one Isyaka Saidu on Saturday 28th November 2020 at Ungwan Pah in the same local government: Victor Markus, Gero David and Thankgod Sunday.
“The military further informed the Kaduna state government that in the course of clearance operation in the general area, it found one herder, Abubakar Alhassan in his hut at Kussom village unconscious with bruises and rushed the herder to Kowa Medical Center, Jagindi Town, where a medical doctor confirmed the victim dead. The military has handed over the corpse to the police for further investigation.
“Similarly, the military received distress call from a community leader in the general area, that some children were seen wandering in a forest after their pastoralists parents had fled. Troops immediately set out to the location and rescued the two children: Usman Wada and Didi Hudi. The children have been handed over to the police for immediate reunion with their families when they are traced.
“Governor el-Rufai commends community leaders for assisting the military to stabilise the situation and to apprehend suspects. Government acknowledges the community leader who helped save the lives of the children, aged nine and five, for his immense contributions to security and peace in the area,” the commissioner said.
In an earlier update, Aruwan had said the state government ordered investigation into the killings and reprisal to ensure diligent prosecution of those responsible for the killings.
“The military on Saturday, 28th November, 2020, reported to the government that one herder, Isiyaka Saidu of Ungwan Pah village of Jema’a local government was killed by unknown persons with deep knives cut on his head.
“The military further stated that three persons were arrested from Ungwan Pah and Ungwan Bido villages of the same local government area as follows: “Victor Markus, Gero David, Thankgod Sunday.
“Security agencies have furthered reported that Ungwan Bido village was attacked today, Sunday 29th November 2020, where some local residents were killed and four injured. Two children are missing.
“The six persons killed are: Silas Maman, Malaki Tabat, Geoffrey Andrew, Anna Ahmadu, Sunday Tagwai, Fidelis Musa. Four persons were injured as follows: Adamu Mangai, Matta Silas, Yaro Musa, Yaro Andrew. Two children are missing as follows: Rebecca Andrew, Clement Andrew. The houses of the following citizens were burnt by the attackers: Adamu Mangai, Gideon Nuhu, Andrew Adamu, Alphonsus Michael,” he said.
Plateau
In a related development, two persons were reportedly killed at a local beer joint in Bukuru market of Jos South local government area of Plateau state, the police command has confirmed.
The police spokesman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ubah Ogabah, said in a statement via phone text message that “two persons were found dead.”
“Yes, the command is aware of the case of culpable homicide where two persons were found dead at Kugiya market,” he said.
Ogabah said police detectives and operational men of the command were immediately deployed to the scene in other to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order.
“Investigation is on to unravel the circumstances behind the death and arrest perpetrators. As we speak the area is calm,” he said.
Blueprint also gathered from a resident of Bukuru, Alhaji Abdul Muhammad, that the incident occurred Saturday night.
He said: “In the early hours of Sunday, the bodies of two persons were found, killed at a beer joint in Kugiya market and people from that side of the market picked up weapons, and started attacking any one they perceived as not one of them.”
According to him men of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the special force using motorbikes dispersed the mobs that were creating tension in the area.
“Everything is now brought to normal, tension have been doused,” he added.
Buhari on farmers’ killings
Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed grief over the killing of Borno farmers describing the act as insane.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, described the killing of the farmers as ‘senseless killings’, adding that the entire country is hurt as a result.
The statement reads: “President @MBuhari has expressed grief over the killing of farmers on rice fields at Zabarmari, in Jere Local Government of Borno State, describing the terrorist killings as insane.
“I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State. The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls Rest In Peace,” he said.
He said the government had given needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”
Ex-VP, others condemn killings
Beyond the president’s condemnation of the killing however, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called for the overhauling of the nation’s security architecture.
Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, stated this in a series of tweets on his official Twitter account Saturday, expressed shock over the killing of the rice farmers.
He said: “Heartbreaking. Words fail me. The lives of our citizens should be worth much more than this. The rejig of the nation’s security architecture is long overdue. May their souls rest in peace and may their families be comforted.”
Some Nigerians who also spoke in similar vein, called for the sack of service chiefs.
For instance, a columnist with Blueprint newspaper, Malam Gimba Kakanda, slammed the president for not doing enough to tackle the nation’s security challenge.
He said: “The first thing Buhari ought to have done today was appearing on TV, bearing the pain of the people he had failed, to announce the sack of his overstaying service chiefs,” Kakanda stated, adding that “even our military Heads of State didn’t take the country for granted as Buhari has.”
Also, a TV anchor, Ms Morayo Afolabi-Brown, wrote, “If Buhari does not sack the service chiefs over the brutal killing of these farmers, then our lawmakers need to start talking about impeachment.”
Gbajabiamila, Lawan
Also in his reaction, Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has stated it was time for harder military action against the Boko Haram insurgents.
The Speaker while condemning the act in strong terms, expressed sadness over the killings of the innocent rice farmers.
He said it was unfortunate that at a time the country was focusing on self-sufficiency in rice farming; about 50 of the farmers were killed in a most gruesome manner.
In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Lanre Lasisi, the speaker commiserated with the families of the killed farmers, the people and government of Borno state over the sad incident, stressing that the House was determined and ready to provide all necessary support, including the ongoing budgeting process to ensure that funds are allocated for the security agencies to carry out their mandate of wiping out the terrorists.
“It’s unfortunate that about 50 of our countrymen lost their lives to the barbaric and inhuman action of the insurgents at this time.
“This incident is one too many for us as a country. Here were innocent citizens going about their lives of looking for their daily bread to cater for their families, but are murdered in a most gruesome manner.
“Their lives should not go in vain. This should call for more action from our military. As a House, we are ever ready to give them all the necessary support, especially through budgetary allocation, to deal decisively with the insurgents. My heart goes out to the families of the murdered farmers,” Gbajabiamila said.
Similarly, Senate President Ahmad Lawan condemned the killings, saying the incident was another act of barbarism against innocent Nigerians minding their own business.
“This incident is heart-rending and again demonstrates why we must all continue to support the security forces to thwart the criminals in their evil determination to impose a reign of terror on the North East of Nigeria.
“I commiserate with the families of the deceased, Governor Babagana Zulum and the entire people of Borno State and assure them of the sympathy and solidarity of the National Assembly.
“This heinous crime is particularly sad given the ongoing spirited efforts by the Federal Government at ensuring food security in Nigeria through the many programmes that have been put in place to support the agriculture sector.
“I urge the security agencies to redouble their efforts with a view to bringing an end to mindless violent crimes in our country,” Lawan said.
PDP urges visit to Borno
Also, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the killing of the farmers, describing the act as “extremely wicked, devilish and must not be left unaddressed.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP also called on the Buhari administration to take a decisive action in solving the scourge of insecurity confronting the country.
“The PDP notes with pain that this horrific killing of compatriots comes as yet another of the recurring horrid testament and badge of failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration to secure our nation and guarantee the safety of lives and property in our country.
“Indeed, our party is distressed by the escalated killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians by insurgents, bandits and marauders, who have continued to ravage and pillage our communities, while the lazy and lethargic Buhari administration continues with its lip service, rhetoric and false performance claims.
“The PDP is particularly disturbed because of the failure of the Buhari Presidency to take decisive action despite a series of concerns raised by Borno state governor, Baba Gana Zulum, of security compromises in the state.
“The Buhari administration appears helpless while our national security structure under President Buhari seems to have collapsed. Our nation appears to be on autopilot with no one in charge while the ship of state continues to drift.
“All our nation gets from the Buhari Presidency is that ‘Mr. President is shocked’, ‘Mr. President is saddened’, ‘Mr. President regrets’ and such lame responses without any decisive policy direction or directive to definitively tackle the situation at hand, leading to escalation of killings in our country.
“Such attitude by the Buhari administration has continued to embolden insurgents to the extent that they now attack military formations, convoys of state governors and engage in the wanton beheading of our compatriots.
“It is distressing that despite this sorry situation, Mr President, who promised to lead from the front, has receded into the safety of Aso Presidential villa and refused to act on the consistent demands of Nigerians to rejig the national security architecture and replace the service chiefs with more capable hands to affectively tackle our security challenges.
“The PDP charges President Buhari to stop his unhelpful rhetoric. He should sit up and take actions that will safeguard the lives of Nigerians who have been subjected to all manners of mental and physical torture under this incompetent administration.
“Mr President should immediately move to Zabarmari in Borno State, empathize with the families of the victims and lead from the front in restoring security in the area.
“Our party commiserates with the government and people of Borno state and urge Nigerians to remain at alert particularly in providing useful information for our security agencies in this fight against insurgency in our land,” the statement said.
