At least 44 farmers were killed Saturday by Boko Haram terrorists in northeastern Nigeria, according to representatives from the village where the attack occurred.

The farmers were attacked on Saturday as residents of the state were voting to elect local government council officials, for the first time in 13 years.

Former head of Borno Farmers Union, Hassan Zabarmari said farmers working in rice fields in the Garin Kwashebe village of Borno State were attacked by the terror group. He also noted that several others were injured.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the killing of farmers on rice fields at Zabarmari, in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, describing the terrorist killings as insane.

“I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State. The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls Rest In Peace.”

President Buhari also said the government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”