Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has said in a new video that the group killed at least 78 farmers during last Saturday’s raid at Zabarmari community in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
His statement came as the group moved to claim responsibility for the killings which have generated outrage nationwide.
The military had confirmed that they counted 43 bodies in the presence of the governor Babagana Zulum.
But Shekau said in the video released on Tuesday that they killed “at least 78 farmers.”
He further said the group went after the farmers because they handed over one of its members to the Nigerian military.
Shekau threatened that the group would go after those giving out intelligence on their activities to the military.
“The third message is on those who notoriously nab our brethren and hand them to the military or give them a clue on us. You should know that, unless you repent, what happened to your people is awaiting you,” he threatened.
The group also claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 22 farmers last month.
