Authorities in Nigeria say unknown assailants have killed 40 people, mostly rice farmers, in Koshobe village.
![Authorities are searching for the attackers [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9dc0d_365101666f0748fe91d8f1de4cffc1ba~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_770,h_513,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/e9dc0d_365101666f0748fe91d8f1de4cffc1ba~mv2.jpeg)
According to local militia, the victims were contracted laborers from a different village who traveled 600 miles to work on harvesting paddy in the rice fields in Koshobe.
Out of the 60 farmers, local militia forces fighting extremists in the region said they found 43 people slaughtered and with their throats slit open. Police have put that number at 40.
“It is no doubt the [work] of Boko Haram who operate in the area and frequently attack farmers,” Babakura Kolo, a leader of a local militia, said.
In addition to the 43 killed, 8 people are missing and are presumed to have been kidnapped by the assailants.
Boko Haram and the Nigerian version of ISIS, locally known as Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP), are highly active in northeastern Nigeria.
Since 2009, ten thousand civilians in northeastern Nigeria have been killed by the militant groups, and over two million have been displaced.
Last month alone, Boko Haram fighters claimed responsibility for killing 22 farmers irrigating their fields.
An investigation into Saturday's attack has been launched.
By: Niza Nondo
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