Attacks and abductions continue despite 9pm to 6am curfew – farmers say they fear for their lives as more residents prepare to leave Gajiganna to escape being ambushed by insurgents.
The Nigerian military has imposed a curfew in Gajiganna to try to curtail persistent attacks by insurgents on communities in and around the town – but that has not stopped terrified farmers from fleeing.
Residents of the town in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast say they can no longer put up with attacks and kidnappings and they fear for their lives.
Attacks by insurgents – members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, and its even more dangerous breakaway group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) – are almost a daily occurrence.
Farmers are terrified of going to their lands on the outskirts of the town – they have lost family members and neighbours in the persistent attacks. And kidnappings for ransom are commonplace.
Insurgents “allow” farmers to work their lands only if they pay “taxes” in the form of cash and food – and anything else they demand.
Farmers agreed to speak to RNI on condition of anonymity.
Ba Amarjiya (not his real name), a farmer and a resident of Gajiganna town, abandoned his farm and is staying temporarily in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
“We planted our crops and we are expecting a bumper harvest this year. But our hopes have been shattered by Boko Haram fighters who continue to attack communities in and around Gajiganna town. Some farmers have been killed and many have been kidnapped and held for ransom.
“We could not take it anymore. We decided to abandon our farmlands because we fear being killed or kidnapped. There have been so many attacks by Boko Haram fighters. It is not safe to farm in Gajiganna.”
Amarjiya said most of the residents of the town were farmers who depended on the land to make a living and to put food on the table.
“But it is too dangerous to work our lands. We left everything behind even though we are expecting a good harvest this year. It is terrible that we have to leave our crops. We will starve.
“Soldiers and other security operatives imposed a curfew on the town – from 9pm to 6am – but that has not put an end to the attacks and abductions.
“Boko Haram fighters tell us we have to pay taxes if we want to work on our lands. They demand money and food. If we don’t pay, we will die or they abduct us for ransom.
“We are pleading with the government to beef up security because we cannot go on living in fear. Every day when we go to our farmlands we fear it may be our last.”
Bor Bintube (not his real name), a farmer who lives in Gajiganna town, told RNI that despite the curfew and other measures put in place by the military and other security operatives, such as regular clearance operations and patrols, the insurgents were still carrying out attacks on residents.
“They attack us while we are working on our farmlands in the nearby forests on the outskirts of Gajiganna town.
“The insurgents abduct residents for ransom. They demand huge amounts of money and food from our families and relatives – and if they cannot pay, then they expect our neighbours to pay. Everyone in the community gives what they can even if it’s just a few naira.
“There is a curfew in place now but that has not stopped the attacks or abductions. Soldiers and other security personnel conduct clearance operations and patrols but the attacks and kidnappings continue.”
Bintube told RNI that every day more farmers were fleeing from Gajiganna town.
“About a week ago the military declared a curfew from 9pm to 6am. We are complying with it but the attacks continue. The soldiers and security operatives conduct clearance operations and there are more patrols. But they cannot be everywhere at once.
“If we do not pay taxes then we cannot farm. Boko Haram fighters chase us from our lands and we are too afraid to return because they will kill us or kidnap us.
“We are pleading with the Borno State government to provide more security. The attacks, abductions and so-called taxes are crippling us.”
A member of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who also asked to remain anonymous, said many residents of Gajiganna had already left the town.
“CJTF members and other security operatives are aware of the dangers. Residents leave the town in secret. We cannot stop people from fleeing because we cannot guarantee their safety.
“We have tried to encourage them to resist the insurgents. But they are not trained and they do not have adequate weapons. You cannot stop Boko Haram with sticks.
“We do our best to protect communities in and around Gajiganna. Now there is a curfew in place and people have to stay indoors from 9pm to 6am.
“In the morning, we accompany farmers to their lands on the outskirts of the town. But there are not enough security operatives. Once farmers are on their lands they are isolated and open to attacks. The insurgents know this; they attack when we are not around.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
