According to report reaching oyogist.com, the Presidents spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has blamed the 43 slain farmers in Borno for not receiving a military clearance before resuming farming activities.
Garba Shehu made this known during an interview with BBC stating that the Nigerian populace need to know what life now entails in the Lake Chad Basin as he claims the area isn’t safe for the people. “People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.”
Garba Shehu also said that most of the Lake Chad Basin has been cleared by the Nigerian Army but some areas haven’t been cleared for the return of farming activities by the Military.
“Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields.”
Asked if he was blaming the farmers, he said “Not exactly, but 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.”
The Presidential spokesman noted that the Army cannot be present in every corner while making it clear that most of the areas are mined areas and that the military needs to carry out a mine clearance for the people to return.
