(http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Borno-Residents-groan-as-curfew-bites-harder.jpg) (http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Borno-Residents-groan-as-curfew-bites-harder.jpg)- 14 insurgents, 3 soldiers killed — Army
- 2,000 residents flee to Niger Republic
From Mustapha Isa Kwaru, Maiduguri and Joy Baba, Abuja
Residents of Maiduguri metropolis and environs who have been traumatised by the biting effect of the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Army authorities are groaning under intense suffering.
And over 2,000 residents of the nation's border communities in Abadam Local Govnment Area of Borno state, suspected to be one of the hide-outs of the insurgents, have fled to the neighboring Niger Republic.
This is coming as information filtered in yestearday that about 700 soldiers have been mobilized from Jos Military Cantonment to bolster the troops already deployed to Borno state to dislodge the insurgents there.
It was also learnt that some soldiers on peace-keeping mission in Liberia have been withdrawn to join their colleagues in waging war against the Boko Haram in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
Reports from the area indicated that the mass exodus, which began in the early hours of Friday, followed the massive deployment of troops, armoured tanks, combat helicopters, fighter jets and other military equipment into the area.
Further investigation revealed that in the affected communities, mostly women, children and the elderly persons, with some of their belongings trekked few kilometers to cross over to Bosso, a town at the Nigeria-Niger border.
A community leader of the area, who also took his family members to the neighboring country, but later returned to Maiduguri, told newsmen that the entire inhabitants of the area became apprehensive and scared over their safety due to the massive deployment of troops.
The community leader, who declined identification, argued that although others were reluctant in relocating to the neighbouring country and still stayed behind, more are leaving in order to avoid being caught up in the impending crossfire between the security forces and the insurgents.
He added that the communities were afraid over their safety considering the unfortunate incident of Baga killings, where innocent people were worst hit.
"Actually the soldiers did not give us ultimatum to leave our respective towns; rather we decided on our own because of personal safety to leave due to the fear of the unknown, especially the Baga massacre. Everyone is actually not comfortable with the presence of over 1000 soldiers because we have never witnessed such high number of military deployment in our area in the past. So, to be on the safer side, we resolved to migrate to the nearby town of the neighbouring nation", he added.
Meanwhile residents of the 10 wards of Maiduguri metropolis under the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) are facing dearth of food stuff and other assorted commodities, even as the residents of the entire city are being faced with hunger as they lack meat, fruits, vegetables and other perishable products.
Spokesman for the JTF, Lt- Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement at the weekend said: "The task force, in order to sustain the ongoing special operation in the face of recent Boko Haram attacks in some areas within Maiduguri metropolis, is imposing 24 hours curfew with effect from Saturday"
According to the spokesman, the wards and areas where the curfew is currently biting harder include Gamboru, Mairi Kuwait, Bakin Kogi, Kasuwan Shanu, Ruwan Zafi, 202 Quarters, Dikwa Housing Estate, Low Cost Sinimari, 505 Housing Estate, Chad Basin Area, and 303 Housing Estate and Baga road areas.
Following the imposition of curfew at the cattle market area, which is also the location of the major abattoir, the town is now facing acute meat scarcity, as the other abattoir in the Monday market cannot meet the demands of the residents.
Over 50 trucks and trailers conveying food items, toiletries, firewood, petrol and other items to border towns were at the weekend prevented from leaving Maiduguri. It was also gathered that many trucks and trailers were also stopped in other areas that link border towns, like Gamboru Ngala Road in Custom area.
One of the drivers the trucks, Goni Alkali lamented "My vehicle has been here since Friday afternoon. I am supposed to convey these items (toiletries) to Monguno, but to my surprise, I was stopped here by soldiers who said they would not allow me to pass."
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has said that after a mop up of battle scenes, 14 insurgents and 3 soldiers were confirmed dead while 7 vehicles, 13 telephone handsets were recovered and a total of 20 terrorist apprehended in their bid to flee the battleground.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI) Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade in Abuja yesterday. The statement also said patrols are ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfew on identified flash points are being enforced.
The statement added that dislodged terrorist have deserted their bases but are still making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics including scores of vehicles in their holdings.
The DDI noted that there have been high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far by the soldiers just as he added that "Required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday".
The post Borno: Residents groan as curfew bites harder (http://peoplesdailyng.com/borno-residents-groan-as-curfew-bites-harder/) appeared first on Peoples Daily Newspaper, Nigeria (http://peoplesdailyng.com).
Peoples Daily Newspaper