The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has condemned the killing of 15 farmers in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected terrorists.
Kyari expressed his condemnation in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) following the incident.
The minister described the killings as tragic, saying he was deeply saddened and outraged by the loss of farmers who were working on their farms to earn a living and contribute to the nation’s food security.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the people of Marte, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, as well as the government and people of the state.
Kyari prayed for the repose of the deceased and for God to comfort their families during the period of grief.
He said the killing of farmers represented not only an attack on innocent lives and livelihoods but also a setback to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve food security.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to creating an enabling environment where farmers can cultivate their land safely and productively.
Kyari commended security agencies for their efforts to protect farming communities and urged them to intensify operations to apprehend those responsible for the killings.
He also called on the security agencies to locate the three persons reportedly still missing following the incident.
“Protecting our farmers is protecting Nigeria’s food security,” Kyari said.
