No less than 43 farm workers in rice fields near Maiduguri, Borno State were on Saturday killed and seven injured by Boko Haram fighters, anti-jihadist militia told AFP.
According to the militia, the fighters tied up the farm workers and slit their throats in the village of Koshobe.
“We have recovered 43 dead bodies, all of them slaughtered, along with six others with serious injuries,” said militia leader Babakura Kolo who helped the survivors.
“It is no doubt the handiwork of Boko Haram who operate in the area and frequently attack farmers.”
Another militiaman Ibrahim Liman said the victims were labourers from Sokoto State who had travelled to the north-east to find work.
“There were 60 farmers who were contracted to harvest paddy in the rice fields. Forty-three were slaughtered, with six injured,” Liman said.
He added that eight others were missing, presumed to have been kidnapped by the jihadists.
The bodies were taken to Zabarmari village, about two kilometres away, where they would be kept ahead of burial on Sunday, said resident Mala Bunu who took part in the search and rescue operation.
Last month, Boko Haram fighters slaughtered 22 farmers working on their irrigation fields near Maiduguri in two separate incidents.
