Beheading of Nigerian farmers ‘unspeakable cruelty’: UN

By Olarewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - A terror attack by the Boko Haram terror group on local farmers in northeastern Borno State was described Wednesday as “unspeakable cruelty.”

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Edward Kallon said he visited Zabarmari, a remote town near Maiduguri, Borno provincial capital, where more than 40 farmers were beheaded Saturday by Boko Haram terrorists.

"Farmers and villagers I have met retold accounts of unspeakable cruelty. Innocent civilians - men and women - were ruthlessly killed," said Kallon.

He said survivors and families of the slain were in shock.

"One of the farmers I spoke with told me his pains and grief, the trauma farmers are going through as their sons, brothers, cousins were killed in atrocious condition," he said.

He promised the UN would continue to "do its utmost" to support vulnerable populations, including those in remote communities like farmers.

Forty-three bodies were buried Sunday while more than 30 corpses were recovered Monday.

The attack on a rice farm sparked international condemnation from the UN, EU and the West African regional body, ECOWAS.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari dispatched a Federal delegation Monday of four Cabinet members and his security advisor to the community. About 15 state governors have also visited.

Boko Haram which has been carrying out terror attacks in the country’s northeast region for more than a decade, claimed responsibility Wednesday.

The group said in a video it executed the killings to avenge the arrest of one of its members by farmers recently.