A Dikwa resident, who saw something unusual buried in the sand and hit it repeatedly with a stick, was blown to pieces by what turned out to be an improvised explosive device (IED) set by insurgents.
The man is yet to be identified.
Bour Massa, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), told RNI reporter Rawa Dikwa that there were many such devices buried on the outskirts of the town and troops had warned residents not to touch them and to report them immediately to security officials so that they could be safely detonated and/or removed by experts.
“Early on Thursday [February 10], soon after the gates of the town were opened, the man set out to find firewood. He saw something buried in the sand and became curious. He hit it repeatedly with a stick, detonating the device, and he was blown to pieces.”
He said many internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to Dikwa, from which they had fled because of persistent deadly attacks by insurgents, and they did not have work but had families to support by whatever means they could.
Some had resorted to going into the outskirts of the town to herd animals or to fish, while others collected firewood or foraged in the bushes for anything that they could find and sell to bring in some money to survive.
“But, unfortunately, the outskirts of the town are dangerous. There are many undiscovered IEDs, exposing the residents to danger and death,” Massa said.
A similar incident had occurred a while back when four people also died when an IED had detonated.
“The four residents came across a buried device and decided to disable it themselves without informing troops or other security officials. While they were trying to disable it, the IED exploded killing all the four of them.”
Massa said insurgents had been burying the IEDs, hoping to harm troops or those who had returned to Dikwa and who relied on the town’s outskirts to provide something they could sell.
Security forces usually escorted residents whenever they were going to the outskirts of the town, but some still chose to leave earlier without waiting for everyone to gather before setting off.
“CJTF and vigilantes escort residents when they leave to go fishing or to do other activities on the outskirts of the town but sometimes people are in such a hurry to get there that they leave without waiting for security escorts. This exposes them to danger and death just as it did to the poor man who was blown to pieces.”
A trader, Ba’ana Ari, said: “As returnees we have no option because we have to look for some means to survive and that is why sometimes we go far out into the outskirts of town in search of something we can sell to help us put food on the table.”
The CJTF said it was of utmost importance for the public to avoid going near anything unusual they saw and to report it immediately.
Apart from the insecurity, Massa said, most of those who had returned to Dikwa did not have the means to buy food.
Massa said: “All four gates in Dikwa have been opened. Because the people are facing severe hunger, they are desperate and will continue going into the outskirts of the town, putting themselves in danger. The returnees – mostly former IDPs – are especially vulnerable, because they no longer receive any support from the government and local and international aid organisations. They also cannot find employment.”
Massa pleaded with government to help those in need in Dikwa by donating food and other essentials to help them to get out of living their lives in poverty.
AISHA JAMAL
