Ten farmers have been killed and a number of others have been kidnapped by rampaging Boko Haram militants in Borno State’s Mafa Local Government Area.
In addition to this incident, which took place late on a Saturday in the fields between Bulakunkumma and Maiwa villages in the Baram Karowa ward of the LGA, the terrorists were also paid by a merchant in the Zannari ward N4m as ransom.
Ya Kalu Bukar, a reliable witness, stated that there were four abductees; however, Goni Mohammed, another source, claimed that there were as many as nine abductions.
“They came roving across farms in search of food and cash,” according to Bukar. “When the farmers said they couldn’t afford the amounts they requested, they killed 10 of them, all men, and went away with four. According to him, the militants murdered the 10 farmers and kidnapped the other four to prevent anyone from witnessing their actions and instantly alerting the security personnel, who might then begin an immediate manhunt for them.
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Mohammed, the second source, however, said, “The insurgents abducted nine farmers when they told them that they didn’t have any cash to give.” The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had recently warned farmers in the rural communities not to stay on their farms beyond 5pm, when the insurgents usually begin roaming the outskirts for prey. He had directed the troops securing the communities and the agro-rangers deployed to secure farmers in the fields to ensure that no farmer remained in the fields by 5pm.