Connect with us

Metro

Farmers urge Nigeria govt to move against Boko Haram following killing of 43 persons in Borno

Published

on

The All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) on Monday urged the Federal Government to take a drastic step against Boko Haram following the killing of 43 rice farmers by the jihadists in Zabarmari, Borno State, last Saturday.

Suspected terrorists slaughtered scores of farmers on rice fields in an incident that has been described as the most violent attack against civilians in the world this year.

In a statement issued Monday by its National President, Kabir Ibrahim, the association said the killing of 43 rice farmers by the terrorists portends great danger for Nigeria’s food supply chain.

The statement read: “The desired food security of the country has several risks factor but the current situation portends real danger to it unless some drastic and decisive actions are taken immediately by the government.

“The recent unfortunate slaying of our farmers in Borno State portends disaster for our food system in that the farmers are now very scared to go to their farms to do dry season farming.

“The Nigerian food system which had been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, and insecurity is now further threatened by this development.

READ ALSO: 43 rice farmers killed by Boko Haram in Borno buried (Photos)

“It was common knowledge that the insurgents had turned Sambisa and other forests into a safe haven.”

The farmers urged the government to deal with the insecurity situation in the northern part of the country.

“The farmers are pleading with the government to deal with the insecurity in the North-East by defoliating and sectoral bulldozing of the Sambisa forest.

“Against the backdrop of the nearly 12-year old Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and the incessant banditry and kidnapping in the North- West, it is our informed opinion that the forests of Sambisa and Rugu will have to be bulldozed for any lasting peace to prevail in these regions.

“The security forces should make announcements for all persons living in the immediate vicinity of the forests to relocate because there will be air and ground raids as well as complete chemical defoliation of the forests.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now