AGAIN, BOKO HARAM HOLDS BORNO HOSTAGE
The people of Borno State are not under any illusion that the Boko Haram problem may fizzle out soon. The otherwise 'Home of Peace' is on fire. Maiduguri, the capital, has the unfortunate privilege of being the seat of government and Boko Haram headquarters. The police, soldiers, chiefs, politicians, religious leaders and innocent citizens have been the biggest casualties of attacks, killing and bomb blasts.
While people in other climes wake up with news that sooth the nerves, in Maiduguri, the blast of bombs is 'Good Morning'. Residents are usually forced to bed early by booming gunshots and woken up by explosion of bombs.
Aliyu, a teacher, says the people never thought the Boko Haram phenomenon would degenerate to 'an uncontrollable level as it is now,' adding that, 'the state is under siege.'
Within two weeks, no fewer than 10 people have either died as a result of bomb blasts or killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram. Branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Borno, Ibrahim Dudu Gobe, and his son, Mohammed, were shot in their house at Mari Kuwait area of the metropolis. Dudu was the chairman of Bama Motor Park of the NURTW in Maiduguri. The assailants were said to have driven to the area in a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) without any registration number.
Barely four days later (Friday, May 13), two persons were killed again in a bomb explosion at London Chinki, a populated community in the city. The explosion ripped off the stomach and limbs of the victims. By Sunday night, two soldiers were killed during a gun battle between Boko Haram and soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force.
The sect had attacked a patrol vehicle with some soldiers at Gwange ward in the metropolis, a development that compelled the soldiers to exchange fire with the men. Residents said the gun battle lasted about two hours.
On Wednesday night, the sect members, who were said to have earlier forewarned of their planned attack, stormed the popular Ibrahim Taiwo Area Command Headquarters of the police at Baga Road in a daring manner that left people wondering if the Boko Haram are mere inexperience gunmen as once suggested by the governor. The men reportedly came in a convoy of three Gulf cars and drove off after the gun battle, but police maintained they fled when they were over-powered.
According to eye-witness, a water hawker, who was reportedly hit by stray bullet, died on the spot, while many sustained injuries in the attack that lasted about an hour. Residents around Baga Road said the Wednesday shooting was deadlier, noting that the Boko Haram men might have attacked the police with sophisticated arms. 'The way they arrived that place was baffling despite heavy presence of police and soldiers everywhere in the city. The manner in which they fired shots too, was surprising. I believe the sect possesses sophisticated weapons because of the way they engaged the police for about one hour and then drove off in confidence. I suspect we are in for a big problem again,' Annas, told Sunday Sun.
By the time residents woke up on Thursday morning, another bomb had been detonated at the famous Lagos Street, few metres from the NUJ Press Centre. Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge operation, Zakari Adamu, told journalists that Boko Haram men planted the explosive, knowing full well the patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force would ply the road that morning.
A Joint Task Force vehicle conveying some soldiers and policemen to their duty post was said to be heading towards Lagos Street when the bomb exploded. Two soldiers and three policemen were injured, while the area was subsequently cordoned off. Residents in the area were also barred from coming out. Soldiers and policemen subjected motorists, commercial motorcyclists as well as pedestrians to thorough search on the highway and in most parts of the city, a development that led to traffic jam. There was heavy presence of soldiers and anti-riot/special police squad everywhere, yet the sect has been having a free day.
Barely five hours later, the Boko Haram mowed down another target, a policeman in the city. It was a day of rage, angst, apprehension and chaos. Residents were thrown into a state of confusion and uncertainty. Who is the next target? They kept asking.
In Maiduguri, it is unsafe to wander in the night, because one could be caught in the midst of gun battle. Business activities have been badly affected. Banks and commercial institutions have been compelled to adjust their business closing time to 3 p.m. since last year. Regrettably, many were also compelled to shift their business base to other parts of the country following increasing insecurity in the state. Babagana, a contractor, told Sunday Sun that though he was born in Maiduguri, but had vowed not to come to the city 'until peace truly returns there.' But then, the police said they were in control of the situation.
Not many would take the police for their words, because killing was yet to abate and the bombing has not ceased. Even to speak in the public is seen by many as an invitation to tragedy. 'You don't even know the person next to you and the best thing is to maintain sealed lips,' says Madam Hannatu, a nurse.
There were insinuations in the state that a change of government from the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) could soften the hearts of the sect members, who were allegedly aggrieved with the Ali Sheriff administration. Residents believe that with the ANPP out of the scene, sanity could finally return to the troubled state, but the Boko Haram maintained their struggle was not limited to Borno or Ali Sheriff's government, adding that they were out to institute Sharia and 'fight oppressors.'
A statement purportedly authored by the sect's spokesman, Abu Dardam, said they were out to ensure justice in the society. They also rejected the amnesty offer by the governor-elect, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, arguing that amnesty would not meet their vision, which they said was premised on the enthronement of Sharia and abolition of democratic system.
'The amnesty being extended to the sect and its members would have no relevance and meaning as long as the state government still uses the present constitution and democratic system,' the statement written in Hausa and Arabic said.
With this scenario, residents are fast losing hope that things could be better soon. 'We have lost hope and we've told anybody who wants to move to do so in time, because there are no signs that government can handle the problem on ground, and this is our big concern,' leader of a socio-cultural group said.