Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says farmers killed in
Borno state did not get military clearance before visiting their farms.
Shehu told the BBC on Monday that though the military is in
“full control” of all parts of Borno, the farmers and residents ought to get
clearance before visiting certain areas.
Suspected Boko Haram members attacked Zabarmari, about 20
kilometres from Maiduguri, at the weekend, killing at least 45 farmers.
The attack was described by the United Nations as “the most violent attack” targeted at civilians in 2020.
Shehu, however, blamed the farmers whom he said failed to do
due diligence by first obtaining clearance before visiting their farms.
“People need to understand what it is like in the Lake Chad
area. Much of those areas have been liberated by Boko Haram terrorists but
there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of
villagers who have been displaced,” he said.
“Ideally, all of these places ought to probably be allowed
to pass the test of military clearance before settlers or even farmers resume
activities on those fields.”
Asked by the BBC if he is blaming the farmers on the attack,
he responded: “Not exactly, but the truth has to be said. Is there any
clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody
ask to resume activities? I have been told by the military leaders that they
have not been so advised.”
He said visiting certain places in the north-east, which has
come under the weight of Boko Haram insurgency for more than 10 years, is “a
window that the terrorists have exploited”.
“The military is not present on every inch of space in that
area,” he said, adding: “Even if the people are ready to go back, some of these
areas have been mined and mine clearance has to be carried out first.”
no wonder my aboki padi for area say you dey talk like small pikin wey dey learn how to talk... okwa clearance for area occupied by the military???
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