Biu Forum has condemned the ‘gruesome and barbaric murders’ of 43 rice farmers on their farms in Borno state, while calling on security agencies to improve their intelligence gathering and surveillance to forestall recurrence of such killing.
A statement signed by the National Chairman, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, said, “The Biu forum is saddened and deeply touched by the media reports of recent gruesome murder of 43 rice farmers on their farms in Zabarmari village of Jere Local Government Area of Borno state by some suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
“The barbaric murder of innocent farmers was callous, inhuman, wicked and one too many. The brazen mode of operation by the terrorists in slaughtering innocent people for whatever reasons cannot in any way address the perceived concerns or grievances of the perpetrators of these crimes.
“Biu Forum therefore joins other well meaning Nigerians to condemn the spate of killings by the Boko Haram insurgents. The Forum also strongly appeals to the military and other security agencies to rejig their intelligence gathering mechanism as well as community engagements and be more proactive in their operations in order to avert future occurrences of such incidences.
“Sustained Intelligence gathering and sharing must be the order of the day with very intimate relationships and peaceful coexistence with all the communities susceptible to attacks by the insurgents. Borno state has in the last decade been devastated socially and economically by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to put an end to this spate of bloodshed.
“The Forum extends its condolences to the government and good people of Borno state as well as to all the families affected by the unfortunate incidence. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace, Ameen.
“BF also seized this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Borno state Governor, Prof Umar Babagana Zulum in resettling the internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes. We urge Governor Zulum not to be distracted by the cowardly acts of the terrorists but continue with his efforts in not only mobilising relief materials but also providing reasonable accommodation to all the victims.”
