Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina sees hope for Nigeria, notwithstanding worsening insecurity and economic hardship, hours after 110 farmers were killed by Boko Haram in Borno State. 

Nigeria’s economy entered a second recession in five years under President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this week. Kidnappers, bandits and Boko Haram terrorists have also intensified their deadly and exploitative onslaught on citizens. 

This weekend, jihadists struck in Borno, leaving at least 110 farmers killed near Zabarmari, about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, United Nations said.

Around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, as nationwide outrage flared over the killings, Mr. Adesina posted a photo of him and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma on his Facebook page. He accompanied the pictures with messages for Nigerians. 

“Nigeria is rocked with social, economic, political, security upheavals,” Mr. Adesina said, “But I see hope. Nigeria is rocked with social, economic, political, security upheavals.”

Mr. Adesina also decried too much bitterness and anger in Nigeria, saying no matter how a public servant tries to honestly serve the country, he or she would be insulted. 

One of Mr. Adesina’s followers, Ismail Adulazeez Mantu, scolded the presidential spokesman for displaying crass insensitivity during a tragedy, especially since he spent years criticising similar killings under previous administrations.

“Boko Haram just slaughtered over 40 farmers in Borno and you are singing “I see Hope”. For every innocent soul lost your pay master will account for it on the day of Reckoning and Accountability,’’ Mr. Mantu said. “Allah Almighty will judge between Nigerians and your clueless boss.”