In a highly orchestrated move, the Nigerian security forces swept en masse into Gudumbali town, the headquarters of the Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, on Saturday, August 20, to recapture the last town under the control of insurgents from the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The Nigerian Army Special Forces of Chabbol collaborated with those from Cross Kauwa, soldiers from Damasak, the 7th Division from Maiduguri and from the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai.
The Nigerian Army began clearance operations in Gudumbali in July. The plan was to recapture the town, assess infrastructure damage and then finally allow internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their ancestral hometown.
Gudumbali town was first attacked by the JAS in 2014, resulting in residents fleeing for their lives. Most of them went to Monguno, Nganzai and Maiduguri, the state capital. They were returned to their town in 2018 by Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State governor, who was then the commissioner of the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement ministry.
However, attacks on residents started again about four years ago and they fled once again. They have been living in IDP camps or in host communities since then.
Some of the IDPs from Gudumbali, who are now living in Maiduguri, told RNI that they were very happy and grateful that the military had recaptured their ancestral hometown from the insurgents, but they pleaded with the state’s government to reconstruct or build all vital infrastructure – such as schools, healthcare facilities, social service centres and markets – before they returned to the town.
Babagana Makinta said: “Of course, we heard that the Nigerian Army recaptured our hometown from the insurgents. We are extremely happy. We were told that the resettlement committee had assessed all the destroyed infrastructure in the town.
“We are imploring the government to reconstruct and renovate all the critical infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals and marketplaces, among others. We also want the government to provide all the required social services, especially education institutions. Most of us have been displaced for several years and our children are not going to school. They sit around doing nothing or spend their time roaming the streets. It is particularly important that the government reconstruct or build new schools so that our children will be able to get an education. If they have no schooling, what will their future be? It’s imperative that they get back to school as soon as possible.”
Modu Kyellu Kwayam told RNI that the IDPs appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Army as well as the Borno State government for recapturing their hometown and that everyone was most grateful.
“When I heard the news I was extremely excited. It made me feel I was already on my way back home.
“We just want the government to focus on rebuilding and renovating hospitals, schools, boreholes, houses, a government lodge and secretariat, as well as markets and shops. All the basic social amenities, such as clean water, healthcare services and education must be intact before we go home.”
Dahiru Goni said it was exciting news that Gudumbali had been recaptured by the military.
“We were also happy to hear that the resettlement committee established by Zulum had been to the town to assess the destruction and to see what infrastructure had to be replaced, fixed or reconstructed.
“We urge Sugun Mai Mele, the chairman of the resettlement committee, and his team to clear all the tall grass inside the town, so that we will be able to continue with our businesses and farming activities when we return. Unfortunately, the rainy season has almost ended and we won’t be able to start farming again. But we thank God that 80% of the farmers across Borno State are now able to work their lands again and we are all optimistic that there will be a bumper harvest.”
Goni said he could hardly believe it when he heard the town, which had been under the control of insurgents for almost four years, had been recaptured by the military.
“We are pleading with the federal and state governments and the military officials to tighten security in the town. Our hometown has been under the control of the insurgents for so many years. Before we return, we must be certain that we will be able to continue living forever without any threat. That’s our demand.”
Prior to the recapture of Gudumbali, the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major-General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, in an interview with RNI recently, said there were no places in any local government area that were under the control of ISWAP or JAS insurgents.
“There is no place that is under the control of the armed groups. However, criminals are highly mobile, moving from one bush to another. They could be hiding within some areas but they are not in control even in the areas that are hard for our land forces to reach because we carry out devastating airstrikes in these regions.
“As more insurgents have surrendered, we have received better intelligence and a lot of useful information.”
Giving an update on Guzamala and the Abadam local government areas of Borno State, the commander said: “We have already carried out operations and criminals were chased away. We have troops on permanent deployment in the regions. But it should not take long before we are fully in control.”
In January, governor Zulum said both Abadam and Guzamala were still under the control of the “Boko Haram sect”.
This corroborated the statement by Abdulkarim Lawan, the speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who had told journalists that 99% of communities of Guzamala Local Government Area, his ancestral home, were under the control of JAS.
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
