The United Nations has added its voice to the deadly Boko Haram group’s brutal killing of about 43 farmers in Borno State last Saturday.
In its response, the UN has also reported that at least 110 civilians have been brutally killed and many others have been injured in this attack.
Mr. Edward Kallon, Nigeria’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, speaking on behalf of the UN, says he is angered and saddened by the horrific assault on civilians carried out by non-state armed groups in villages near Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. He was saying;
In early afternoon of 28 November, armed men on motorcycles led a brutal attack on civilian men and women who were harvesting their fields in Koshobe and other rural communities in Jere Local Government Area. Reports we are receiving are indicating these innocent farmers were the victims of this callous violence.
I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the civilians who lost their lives in this atrocious attack. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in the incident.
We have also received reports that several women may have been kidnapped. I call for their immediate release and return to safety.
The rural communities in the region, who are shocked by the brutality of yesterday’s attack and fear for their safety, are also my thoughts.
He also shared his fear of direct attacks on innocent people, stating that it jeopardizes the potential of the most marginalized individuals to endure the adversity they face and that the United Nations is working to mitigate it.
