Boko Haram attacks: Adamawa community threatens relocation to Cameroun

By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz, Yola and Moses John Abuja Following frequent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, the Madagali community in Adamawa state has threatened to relocate to Cameroun. Speaking during the presentation of relief materials donated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to communities aff ected by recent Boko Haram attacks in Gulak town, yesterday, the Madagali community leaders expressed shock over the frequent attacks on their villages, saying distribution of food to the aff ected communities was not their priority.

Their spokesperson and chairman of Madagali local government area, Yusuf Muhammad, said, “our top priority in Madagali local government area is security, not food. Government should, as matter of urgency, bring a lasting solution to the excessive attacks and destruction of our people. “If the deadly attacks continue, we have no other alternative than to relocate to Cameroun Republic.” He regretted that the people of the area were more hit by the insurgents than any other in the state, but neglected as if they were not Nigerians.

Muhammad said the insurgents were just three kilometres away from Madagali area and that explained why they found it easy to attack any community whenever they wished. He urged the government to deploy more soldiers to protect the lives and property of the area. Also speaking, Senator Binta Garba, representing Adamawa North, said Madagali and Michika local government areas had been neglected in terms of relief materials intervention. “Are we really part of Nigeria? If yes, then government should prove to us and treat us as Nigerians, ” he said.

Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator AbdulAzeez Nyako, thanked the Chairman of the Council for “heartily revealing what is aff ecting his people.” Nyako assured that he would table their grievances on the fl oor of the Senate when he returned to Abuja. In his remarks, the DirectorGeneral of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, who was represented by Air Commodore Sunday Ohemu, said the relief materials intervention was part of government’s measures meant to bring succour to the community.

NLC urges FG on security awareness Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has described the killing of no fewer than 50 persons during early morning prayers in a mosque in Mubi town, Adamawa state, as “reprehensible.” It called on the federal government to strengthen security awareness among the local populace and intelligence gathering by the personnel. NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement yesterday, condoled with Adamawa state over the “killing of 50 worshippers in Mubi, by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber in addition to the slaying of 30 herders by yet-to-beidentifi ed assailants.” According to him, “these coldblooded killings are shocking and reprehensible and we demand that the perpetrators be found and brought to book.”

He said: “On the killings of worshippers in the mosques, we are worried by the resurgence of strikes at vulnerable targets by Boko Haram elements operating from fall back positions. “While we appreciate the diffi culties associated with policing an area as vast as the North-east, we nonetheless call on our security and intelligence offi cers to do more. “Part of this task may involve strengthening the process of security awareness among the local populace, intelligence gathering by the personnel and de-radicalisation campaign generally. “We believe the Boko Haram insurgents have been defeated. What we are witnessing may not be another phase of the war hopefully, but a desperate attempt by handful ragtags to create one by striking fear in the hearts of the people.”

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