Christmas could be a gory day for residents in Michika and Bazza towns, as well as other communities in Adamawa State, if a letter from insurgents threatening a major attack is true.
About 80% of the residents of the Michika Local Government Area are Christians and Christians make up 54% of the whole of the state.
Man copies of the letter, thought to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), were dropped in public places in communities last week.
The letter threatens an impending attack over the Christmas period. It did not say exactly when the insurgents would attack but it was thought to be on Christmas Day, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
RNI reporter Umar Bukar Gaji said residents were terrified but were carrying on with their normal activities. They knew insurgents had often carried out their threats which, they said, frightened them.
Locals confirmed that the letters were dropped in Bazza and in some communities in the Michika Local Government Area. They said copies of the letter could be seen flying around Michika town, adding that in the letter insurgents threatened to attack communities during the Christmas festivities.
They hoped the soldiers and other security agencies would be on hand to deal with any attacks that occurred and would repel the militants.
Insurgents had made similar threats in 2009 and 2020. Many residents even relocated their homes out of fear. The insurgents did not carry out their threats at that time.
The commander of 23 Brigade Yola, Aminu Garba, said that Bazza and Michika towns were not under his jurisdiction and told reporters to contact the commander of 28 Brigade Chibok.
But, he said, threatening letters had become routine. He told the newsmen: “Let them come and see if they will go back.”
Deputy superintendent of police Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the spokesman of Adamawa Police Command, said investigations were still in progress.
A member of the civilian joint task force, who asked to remain anonymous, said there were troops working in Michika Local Government Area and were ready to retaliate if insurgents carried out their threat. He confirmed that security measures would be tightened up over the Christmas season.
