The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has condemned Saturday’s killing of rice farmers in Garin Kwashebe, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
The number of victims of the attack has been put at between 43 and 110 by different sources.
The forum, in a statement by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday, in Abuja, described the attack as morally reprehensible.
More importantly, they said the attacks raised serious questions on the general security situation in the country as well as the capability of the nation’s security architecture.
According to Fayemi, the attack also brought back ugly memories of several horrific attacks on soft targets in the state in times past.
Noting that the farmers were attacked while harvesting their produce, oblivious of the danger awaiting them in nearby bushes, the NGF chairman, said the method of the attack was consistent with the senseless bombings of busy markets, bus stations, schools and abattoirs whenever the terrorists felt overpowered by the security operatives.
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The statement read in part: “This sad narrative raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture.
“It also raises questions on whether or not there are adequate arrangements to protect lives and property.
“Since insurgency engulfed the country more than a decade ago, each time it seems like the situation is coming under control, the enemy strikes again. This has happened consistently.”
Fayemi added that the governors were concerned that the carnage was degenerating beyond explicable limits.
According to him, the catalogue of destruction had an adverse effect on everything in the state and the country at large.
