The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has strongly condemned the recent killing of 15 farmers in Marte Local Council Area of Borno State by suspected terrorists. He described the incident as an attack on Nigeria's efforts to attain food security. The innocent Nigerians lost their lives while working on their farms to earn a living and contribute to the food security of the nation. Kyari expressed the government's commitment to creating an environment where farmers can cultivate their lands safely and productively.
The killing of farmers is not only an attack on innocent lives and livelihoods but also on the collective efforts to achieve food security. Senator Kyari's statement comes as the country continues to grapple with insecurity, particularly in the North-east region. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for improved security measures to protect vulnerable communities. The government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the issue of insecurity and ensure that farmers can work safely.
In another development, the Northern Senators Forum has demanded an immediate troop reinforcement along the Kopre-Sambisa corridor in Adamawa State. Suspected insurgents attacked the 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha, killing soldiers and civilians and forcing residents from their communities. The forum, led by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua, warned that the renewed violence required an urgent and coordinated military response. The Defence Headquarters has been called upon to strengthen its presence across the corridor and move against insurgent enclaves blamed for the recent attacks.
The attacks in Adamawa State have resulted in significant casualties, including three soldiers, a forest guard, and civilians. The Northern Senators Forum has expressed concern over the escalating violence and its impact on the region. The forum has urged the government to take decisive action to address the issue of insecurity and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice. The incident has highlighted the need for improved security measures to protect lives and property in the region.
Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted about 44 people, mostly women and children. The attackers stormed Bungudu town and the villages of Yargada, Maikogo, and Magami district of Gusau and Maru local councils. An escapee in Magama Mairake, Ibrahim Magaji, recounted the terrifying experience, saying the bandits came in large numbers and stormed the village at around 1:13 a.m., shooting sporadically before a house-to-house search for their targeted victims.
Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, has said that Boko Haram insurgents have been weakened but not completely defeated. Yahaya spoke at the 13th meeting of the forum in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he identified insecurity as one of the major challenges still confronting northern Nigeria. The persistent insecurity has made it difficult for many people displaced by violence to safely return to their communities. Yahaya also expressed concern over the slow pace of major development projects planned for the region.
Amnesty International has condemned the killing of the 15 farmers and firewood gatherers in Marte Local Council Area of Borno State, calling on the Nigerian government to bring perpetrators to justice. The organisation described the attack as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to urgently improve security for vulnerable communities across the North-east while ensuring that all actions respect human rights. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for improved security measures to protect lives and property in the region.
Key points
- The killing of 15 Borno farmers by suspected terrorists has been condemned by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
- The Northern Senators Forum has demanded an immediate troop reinforcement along the Kopre-Sambisa corridor in Adamawa State following attacks by suspected insurgents.
- Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to bring perpetrators of the killing of 15 farmers and firewood gatherers in Borno State to justice.
