The Northern Governors’ Forum has condemned the killing of rice farmers in Jere Local Government Area of Borno on Saturday by Boko Haram terrorists.
The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, conveyed the condemnation on Sunday in Jos via a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham.
Lalong described the incident as tragic and a great setback to the country’s efforts to attain domestic sufficiency in rice production as well as food security.
He said that the entire country was deeply saddened over the killing of the rice farmers, who committed no crime but only went to their farms to earn their living.
He said that the Forum had consistently worked with the Federal Government, security agencies and local support groups to ensure the protection of farmers, in order to enable them to carry out their farming activities.
Lalong said that in spite the condemnable act, the Forum would not relent in its support to enable the security agencies to deal decisively with the terrorists and other criminals in the society.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased farmers, as well as the people and government of Borno State over the incident.
Regent Times reports that scores of farmers were killed on Saturday in Koshebe village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno, while working on their rice farms.
