United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, on Wednesday condemned Boko Haram’s murder of rice farmers in Borno State.
The Envoy who visited Zabarmari on Tuesday urged stakeholders to “go beyond a security response” in finding a solution to the 119-year-old menace of terrorists in the Northeast.
He said: “It is with great sadness, but also indignation, that I met the families of the victims of Saturday’s violent attack and their communities to extend my most sincere condolences, on behalf of the United Nations and humanitarian partners, and to commiserate with them on these atrocious circumstances.
“Farmers and villagers I have met have retold accounts of unspeakable cruelty. Innocent civilians – men and women – were ruthlessly killed.
“Details on losses are still coming in and the search for missing people is still ongoing. More bodies are being recovered. Farmers have also reported some of the missing women may have been abducted.”
“With more slain civilians recovered almost every day since the attack, it is clear that this was an act of sheer inhumanity and abject cruelty.
“The perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act should be brought to justice.
“I met His Excellency Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, as well as their Excellencies the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba states and the Deputy Governor of Yobe State.
“We all agree that stabilising and developing the Northeast is not only important for the people living in these states but also crucial for the whole country and key to the sub-region.”