By Adam Abu-bashal

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA): The death toll has risen to at least 110 in a recent attack by Boko Haram terrorists in northeastern Nigeria, a UN official has said.

Saturday’s attack on farmers working in rice fields in the Garin Kwashebe village of Borno state killed at least 110, Edward Kallon, UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, told a news conference on Sunday.

Earlier, local media had reported that at least 44 farmers were killed in the attack, with many wounded.

“The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year. I call for the perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice,” said Kallon.

“I am outraged and horrified by the gruesome attack against civilians carried out by non-state armed groups in villages near Borno State capital Maiduguri,” Kallon added in a statement.

Underlining that many women are also believed to have been kidnapped by the terrorists, he called on the Nigerian government to take action regarding the incident.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack, slammed also by Turkey which extended its “sincere condolences” on Sunday to the victims’ families and the nation.

At least 30,000 people have been killed by the Boko Haram terrorist group, mainly in the North-east, since 2009 with millions of others displaced.

[Map of Nigeria by CIA WFB/Public Domain]