The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), an umbrella body for all Governors of the thirty six states in the country has described the killing of over forty rice farmers in Garin Kwashebe in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected terrorists as obnoxious, wicked, unwarranted, and morally reprehensible.
This was made known through a statement signed by the NGF Chairman and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi noting that the sad incident raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture.
The attack took place at a Borno community known for rice farming as farmers were busy harvesting crops before the Islamic militant group called Boko Haram summarily slaughtered them at about mid-day.
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The gruesome incident occurred on the same day that residents were casting votes for the first time in 13 years to elect local councils.
The statement read, “The farmers were attacked while harvesting their produce totally oblivious of the danger that awaits them in nearby bushes. This method is consistent with the senseless bombings of busy markets, bus stations, schools and abattoirs whenever the terrorists feel overpowered by the security operatives or feel their backs against the wall”.
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“Since insurgency engulfed the country more than a decade ago, each time it seems like the situation is coming under control, the enemy strikes again. This has happened consistently”.
Fayemi reiterated that the attack brought back ugly memories of several dastardly attacks on soft targets in the state adding that the catalog of destruction had an adverse effect on everything in the state and the country at large
The chairman said that the NGF would collectively review those issues at its next meeting to forge the way forward.
