At least 110 people have been killed in an attack against farmworkers in Nigeria over the weekend.
The Jihadist group Boko Haram is suspected of carrying out the deadly onslaught although they have not claimed responsibility for the attack.
“At least 110 civilians were ruthlessly killed and many others were wounded in this attack,” Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, said in a statement. “The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year,” Kallon said, adding: “I call for the perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice.”
"I am outraged & horrified by the gruesome attack against civilians in rural communities near #Maiduguri #Borno State. This is the most violent attack this year.
— UNOCHA Nigeria (@OCHANigeria) November 29, 2020
I strongly condemn any act of violence against innocent civilians" – @EdwardKallon
➡️https://t.co/LjiwsFbAWl pic.twitter.com/cfDReTVoMf
The attack took place in the village of Koshobe. According to a pro-government anti-jihadist militia, assailants targeted agricultural laborers who were working on rice fields where
“We have recovered 43 dead bodies, all of them slaughtered, along with six others with serious injuries,” said militia leader Babakura Kolo, who assisted the survivors. “It is no doubt the handiwork of Boko Haram who operate in the area and frequently attack farmers.”
Amnesty International’s findings show that, of the 43 farmers slaughtered by Boko Haram yesterday, 16 were Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) resident at Farm Centre IDP Camp. While 10 women working in Kwashabe rice farm are still missing after the attack.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) November 29, 2020
Since 2009, Boko Haram has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people and millions of Nigerians have been forced from their homes.
“I condemn the killing of our hard-working 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,” said President Muhammadu Buhari.
BREAKING: Former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, has raised a motion in the ongoing Nigerian Senate session for President Muhammadu Buhari to replace all service chiefs for underperformance in the war against Boko Haram. pic.twitter.com/0cjNdxtAwi
— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) December 1, 2020
In October, 22 farmers were killed in two separate suspected Boko Haram attacks while working on Borno’s irrigation fields.
