The Theatre Command of Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in the North-East has said it is investigating report on the recent killing of farmers in Rann, the headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Council in Borno State.
Recall it was reported on Monday May 23, that 45 farmers were killed and buried by Boko Haram insurgents while many others are yet to be accounted for.
Theatre Commander Major-General Christopher Musa said investigations are ongoing to confirm the nature of what transpired.
AFP also reported on Tuesday May 24, quoting two militia leaders, that the insurgents killed 30 men in a revenge attack after their commanders died in military air strikes in Borno.
The militia leaders said the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters seized the men in Mudu village in the Dikwa area on Saturday May 21. News of the incident emerged late due to poor communication as a result of the destruction of telecom towers by jihadists in the region.
Militia leader Babakura Kolo told AFP from the regional capital, Maiduguri;
“Most of the 30 men were slaughtered by ISWAP terrorists while a few who tried to flee were shot.
“They were metal scrap scavengers who were in the area in search of burnt vehicles which dot villages in northern Borno following attacks by the terrorists.”
Another militia leader Umar Ari said ISWAP had accused the slain men of passing information on their positions to the military in the area.
Ari said;
“The 30 men were unlucky to have been in the area at that time when the terrorists were grieving the death of their two commanders killed in a military operation.”
