SLAIN FARMERS DID NOT RECEIVE MILITARY CLEARANCE - BUHARI’S SPOKESMAN GARBA SHEHU
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari has said that farmers who were murdered by Boko Haram in Zabarmari on Saturday did receive military clearance to be on the rice farms.
Recall Eons Intelligence reported that at least 43 rice farmers were slain in Zabarmari while harvesting crops on their farms.
“The truth has to be said. Was there any military clearance from the military who are in total control of the area? Did anybody ask to resume activity?” Shehu said in an interview on BBC.
READ ALSO: BOKO HARAM MURDERS 45 FARMERS IN BORNO
The presidential spokesman said the government received the news of the slain farmers with sadness but reiterated that the farmers ought to receive military clearances before returning to their farms because some of the areas have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced
“So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields, Shehu said.
Recall that the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, General John Enenche on Monday accused the locals of sabotaging military operations in combating Boko Haram.
In an interview with Channels Television, the Enenche said the locals most times keep important Intel away from the military. He, however, added that the military is working to build better trust with the locals.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has appealed to the federal government to recruit more native youths to help fight the Boko Haram in the region.
Governor Zulum made the appeal on Sunday, November 29 at the burial of the 43 rice farmers who were on Saturday, murdered while harvesting their crops.
The Borno State Governor argued that the youths in the region understand the terrain and the north needs as many men as they can get to end the insurgency.
Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has appealed to the federal government to recruit more native youths to help fight the Boko Haram in the region.
Governor Zulum made the appeal on Sunday, November 29 at the burial of 43 rice farmers who were on Saturday, murdered while harvesting their crops.
“We need many boots to protect farmlands and our youths understand the terrain. We will not lose hope because we have to remain optimistic about ending the insurgency," he said.
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