TheCable

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has condemned the killing of eight farmers in Mafa LGA of the state by fighters of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP).

TheCable reported that the farmers were killed by the ISWAP insurgents on Thursday in Shuwarin, Tomsu Ngamdu, Baram Karauwa and Muna areas of the state.

Speaking during a visit to Mafa on Friday, Zulum described the attack as “unfortunate”.

He said the state government would partner with security agencies to deploy more soldiers to secure farmlands.

“The state government will immediately convene a security council meeting to come up with ways of ensuring adequate security to farmers, ” the governor said.

“The government will also inaugurate the agro rangers team, comprising the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Army, the Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters to protect farmers.”

He promised that his government would do everything to ensure that the people have access to their farmlands, adding that food security is being threatened by the insurgency.

Meanwhile, Yarima Goni, a witness, told Zulum that ISWAP terrorists who rode on motorcycles attacked farmlands with AK47 rifles.

Bukar Grema, another witness,  told the governor that three victims of the attack were buried in the Shuwarin community.

“Most of the victims had their hands tied behind them,” Grema said.

“We recovered their bodies at about 8:30 am on Friday and prayer was held for them at about 10:00 am. ”

Shereef Goni who also witnessed the attack said five more victims were recovered in Tomsu Ngamdu, adding that a 15-year-old boy was spared by the insurgents.

Goni added that 10 other victims were kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack.