By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari’s special assistant on media, Garba Shehu, has incurred the wrath of Nigerians for claiming that the farmers killed in Borno didn’t get military clearance to go to their farms, the reason they were killed by Boko Haram.
More than 100 farmers were killed by Boko Haram in a single attack against Borno villagers. But the presidential spokesman blamed the farmers for their fate in an interview with the BBC, saying they didn’t get military clearance to visit their farms.
Shehu said: “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 added: “The military is not present on every inch of space in that area. 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,” he said.
Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, said Shehu’s comment was the result of getting the wrong people in government.
He said: “The absolute worst thing that can happen to any people is elect a callous president.”
@dondekojo said: “Garba Shehu told the BBC that the FG liberated the entire Borno state from Boko Haram but those farmers should have obtained military clearance before resuming farming activities in the area. 110 people killed and @GarShehu is blaming them for their murder”
@DrOlufunmilayo tweeted: “Garba Shehu just told BBC that the 110 massacred farmers in Borno did not get military clearance before going to the farm to work. He said they exposed themselves to the terrorists. The federal government of Nigeria now blames the victims of terrorism for the actions of terrorists.”
@abban_hajia tweeted: “Farmers killed in Borno didn’t get military clearance to go to the fields– Garba Shehu
“Believe me, these people are not willing to do anything about the Insurgency in Nigeria. And one day they would be like “The travellers didn’t get clearance to follow Abuja road.”
