Boko Haram Attack Kills 110 Civilians In Nigeria

Illustrative photo of a vehicle by Boko Haram (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - As many as 110 people were killed in an attack in a village in northeast Nigeria. The attack was blamed on the jihadist group Boko Haram. This was reported by the UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria.

"At least 110 civilians were brutally killed and many others injured in this attack," Edward Kallon said in a statement after the initial casualty count showed 43 people and later at least 70 died as a result of the massacre by Boko Haram fighters.

"The incident was the most violent outright attack on innocent civilians this year," said Kallon. He added: I am calling for the perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice.

According to The Guardian, Monday, November 30, the attack took place in Koshobe Village which is located near the main town of Maiduguri. The attackers targeted farmers doing their work in the fields.

Borno Babagana State Governor Umara Zulum attended the funeral in Zabarmari Village for the 43 bodies found on Saturday, November 28. He said the number of victims could increase once search operations resumed.

The attackers tied up agricultural workers and slit their throats, according to pro-government anti-jihadist militias. The victims, including workers from Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria.

They moved to Sokoto, which is about a thousand kilometers away to find work. Six other people were injured in the attack. The other eight are still missing.

Kallon said there were reports of several women who may have been kidnapped. He also called for the release of those who had been kidnapped and return to safety. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in 2015 vowed to fix the security crisis. He denounced the latest massacre.

“I condemn the killing of hardworking peasants by terrorists in Borno state. The whole country is wounded by this senseless killing, "the president said through a spokesman.

But security analyst Sulaiman Aledeh said many in the country were increasingly frustrated by the authorities' inability to resolve the conflict. “If you have seen (what happened to) Nigeria, President Mahamadou Issoufou had to fire his head of security when 89 soldiers died. So Nigerians ask why you keep hiring these people, "he said.

“The problem here is that the current government seems to value loyalty over professionalism. They think now the government should try some good people to get them out of this mess, "he added.

The attack occurred as voters went to the polls in a long overdue local election in Borno State. Voting has been repeatedly postponed due to increased attacks by Boko Haram and rival dissident faction, ISWAP.

Both groups have been blamed for increased attacks on loggers, farmers and fishermen, whom they accuse of being military spies and pro-government militias.