The Nigerian presidency says that scores of farmers killed in Borno State by terrorists on Saturday did not get military clearance before visiting their farms.
Suspected Boko Haram members had attacked Zabarmari, about 20 kilometres from the State capital, Maiduguri, killing at least 43 farmers.
The United Nations described it as “the most violent attack” targeted at civilians in 2020, and has put the figure at over 100, with many still unaccounted for.
Shehu told the BBC on Monday that although the military was in “full control” of all parts of Borno State, the farmers and residents ought to get clearance before visiting certain areas.
Shehu, therefore, blamed the farmers whom he said failed to do due diligence by first obtaining clearance before visiting their farms, said a report by the TheCable news platform.
“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.
“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”, he said.
Asked by the BBC if he was blaming the farmers on the attack, Shehu 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 Northeast, 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 that “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.”
