Yemisi Izuora
The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded immediate apology from President Muhammadu Buhari administration for the utterances made by presidential aide, Garba Shehu, regarding the recent killing of farmers in Borno state.
It was earlier reported that Shehu was quoted by BBC to have said that the farmers failed to get safety clearance from the military before proceeding to their farms, where the insurgents waylaid them and slit their throats.
But SERAP stated that such comment puts the current administration in bad light.
“We urge Nigerian authorities to publicly apologise for the statement by their spokesperson implying that the farmers killed in Borno state deserve to die because they did not get military clearance before visiting their farms.
“Right to life is a fundamental right,” it stated.
We urge Nigerian authorities to publicly apologise for the statement by their spokesperson implying that the farmers killed in Borno state deserve to die because they “did not get military clearance before visiting their farms.”
Right to life is a fundamental right.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria).
Recall that the United Nations (UN) in Nigeria had on Sunday, described Saturday’s attack and killing of the farmers as a heinous crime.
“l am outraged and horiffied by the gruesome attack against civilians carried out by non-state armed groups in villages near Borno State capital Maiduguri,” the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon said.
Meanwhile, a presidential delegation on Monday, visited Borno to condole with the people and Government of the state.
Oriental News Reports that Shehu on Sunday, November 30, stated farmers who were slaughtered on a rice field in Borno’s Zabarmari village should have obtained military clearance before resuming farming activities in the area.
This was contained in an interview granted by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu.
He said the federal government was sad about the tragic incident, but added that the “people need to understand what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.”
He claimed that though much of the area has been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists there are still a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced.
“The truth has to be said. Was there any military clearance from the military who are in total control of the area?”
Shehu queried. “Did anybody ask to resume activity?”
The Presidency emphasised that he had been briefed by military authorities that the villagers did not seek military advice before exposing themselves to “a window that the terrorists have exploited.
“So ideally, all of these places ought to probably be allowed to pass through proper military clearance before resettlement or even farmers resuming activities on those fields,” he said.