In the wake of a gruesome attack on rice farmers in the Zabarmari region of Mafa Local Government Area, farmers in Borno State have resolved to stand their ground and repel future terrorist attacks. The horrific assault, which unfolded on a Sunday as farmers were harvesting their crops, resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives, as reported by a local farmer, Adamu Muhammad.

Despite the presence of security personnel from the civilian joint task force and agro-rangers employed by the state government, who are entrusted with protecting farmers between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., these attacks have persisted and escalated in Borno State.

According to Adamu Muhammad, who survived the harrowing ordeal, farmers are no longer willing to flee from such attacks. He emphasized their determination not to let terrorists force them out of the vital occupation that sustains their livelihoods.

“The terrorists struck in the late afternoon, but we only became aware of it at 9.30 pm,” Muhammad recounted, revealing, “They encountered each farmer individually on their land and took their lives.”

Shockingly, the assailants, heavily armed as they were, chose not to employ firearms but instead used knives to kill two farmers, while the remaining 11 victims were strangled to death. Their lifeless bodies were then callously discarded in a ditch.

Muhammad underscored the resilience of the rice farmers, who refuse to be intimidated into abandoning their fields due to the constant threat of terrorism.

“We will not abandon our farms because of any attacks by Boko Haram. The government and security agencies should, therefore, provide more security for us, because we will not abandon farming because of Boko Haram attacks,” he declared.

While confirming the incident, the state police spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth, stated, “Investigations are ongoing to determine the number of people killed, and there is no confirmed figure yet.”

In response, security operatives and the Civilian Joint Task Force have initiated an intensive search across the fields in the hopes of discovering more victims. The resilience of these farmers in the face of adversity serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to their livelihoods and the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.