Boko Haram insurgents kill seven farmers, free three in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents killed 7 and released 3 farmers they had abducted while they were working on their fields near Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.

The incident occurred at Rijiya Biyu, behind the University of Maiduguri, last week Monday.

An older farmer, who was among those released, mentioned that the insurgents freed him after he couldn’t provide a contact number for ransom, dropping him off in a nearby bush close to Maiduguri.

The farmer, who did not want his name mentioned, said “They killed seven people whose family delayed paying their ransom, and released two that paid.

“When they asked me to pay, I told them I don’t have anybody’s number that can pay them ransom. After a few days, they blindfolded me and dropped me close to Maiduguri.”

A father of a victim, Mr Solomon Kaleri, said his son was killed after he sent part of the ransom demanded from him.

“I was in Jos when my family called to tell me that my son and our neighbour were abducted on a farm behind UNIMAID, and the captives demanded N10 million ransom.

“They later called and gave a deadline, but by the time I raised some money to send, one old man that they had abducted together was released and he told us that our children were killed.

“Since then, the insurgents have stopped picking our calls,” he said.