A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed in the early hours of Monday, March 27, in an attack on Gamboru town in Borno State.
Mustapha Tifaif, a resident, told RNI that the insurgents, thought to be members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram, snuck into the town at about 2am, surprising residents and the CJTF.
“Suddenly, the insurgents started shooting haphazardly, killing a CJTF member who was among others running to take cover. Luckily no one else was killed or wounded. The JAS fled from the scene into the nearby forest.”
Tifaif said internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were resettled in the Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area were concerned about the frequent attacks in recent months.
Apart from the insecurity, he said their farming activities were being affected and that most of them were living in poverty and were starving.
“The attack on Monday really frightened us. We are begging the government to support CJTF members by providing adequate patrol vehicles and weapons. Also, the military and the CJTF members must work together to ensure the protection of our lives and property.
“These attacks are a major setback to our day-to-day business and farming activities.”
Ali Umar said the residents had many challenges and everyone was terrified of attacks by JAS members.
“When we were first resettled, there were non-governmental organisations [NGOs] that gave us food and other essentials. But now only some lucky residents get humanitarian aid.
“I was relocated to Gamboru town about six years ago. The problem is that there are no sustainable jobs. We are too scared to farm because of Boko Haram. And, as if that is not bad enough, herds of elephants destroy our farmlands.
“During the last rainy season, the elephants trampled and destroyed just about all of our crops. And, if we try to farm in the nearby forests, we are attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“We are begging the Borno State government to address the challenges confronting us, ranging from famine to insecurity and poverty. It also needs to put in stringent security measures, so that we can farm without the constant fear of being attacked.”
Abubakar Gonimi said until a few months ago he and his family were living in Gubio IDP Camp in Maiduguri. Since the IDPs were relocated to Gamboru town they had encountered many problems.
“Some IDPs are living in a camp, others are squatting with relatives and some have homes of their own or rent rooms.
“But the greatest problem is that we do not have food and we’re hungry all the time. We can’t farm because of the insurgents and we don’t have money to start a business. It’s always tough here but it is even worse during the holy month of Ramadan when we have to fast.
“We urgently need NGOs and the government to come to our aid. We need food and security must be tightened so that we can farm in peace.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
