By Juliana Agbo, Abuja

The factional All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on the Nigerian government to compensate the families of murdered rice farmers in Borno state.

Recall that the Boko Haram on November 29, 2020 killed about 43 rice farmers in Borno State while on their farms.

The factional President of AFAN, Farouk Mudi who made this known while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, described the killing of the rice farmers as an attempt to cripple the nation’s economy by terrorists.

According to him, “This is an effort to downgrade the economy of the nation, touching the farmer is like touching the nation’s economy.

“We sympathise with their families, the government of Borno State and the Government of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“Whether we like it or not, the poor farmers are the food basket of this nation. Having this done to them is like demoralising the efforts of farmers and demoralising the efforts of Nigeria and Nigerians.

He, however appealed the government to reach out to the families of the slain farmers and compensate them adequately.

“We are appealing that the federal government should show a kind of concern which they have already done, but they should do more by paying compensation to the families of this people that were killed in cold blood so that they can at least bring more morale to our efforts in farming industry”, he added.

Also, the National President of Sorghum Farmers Association of Nigeria (SOFAN) Alhaji Lawal Gada urged the government to consult widely to know if it would be beneficial to continue closing the border or to open it up.

He said the federal government should make a wider consultations with the stakeholders to evaluate the prons and cons of opening or closing the border.

“There is need to strike a balance between ensuring food security and employment for the teeming population of Nigeria and other interest groups that are pressuring the federal government to open or close the border.