A man was killed and an unknown number of people were abducted in three separate attacks by insurgents, thought to be members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram, on Monday, April 18.
Residents told RNI reporter Nana Hadiza Mustapha that the attackers arrived in Molai in Maiduguri at about 5.30pm.
Nuhu Tar, a resident, said: “We were sitting around chatting at about 5.30pm when, suddenly, we heard the loud and heavy sounds of gunfire.
“We were terrified and we all ran away from our homes. Luckily, troops arrived quickly and they managed to chase the insurgents away so that we could return to our homes.”
Other residents said: “We were standing in front of a mosque in Mega near Molai when we saw people running. We asked what was happening and they told us Boko Haram was attacking us. The gunshots seemed to go on forever and then, just as suddenly, everything was quiet. We went to look and thank God the troops had send the insurgents packing. They did not have time to do any damage.”
They told RNI that there was never any peace in Molai. “Every day we are scared the insurgents will attack us. Many of us are farmers but we are too frightened to go to our lands because we fear being attacked. It is very difficult to live like this. If the authorities do not do something to stop these attacks, we don’t know what will become of us. Our fate is in their hands.”
In two other separate attacks, also on Monday, insurgents – also thought to be members of the JAS – raided two villages, Bijibiji in the Askira-Uba Local Government Area, and Yimirmukza in the Chibok Local Government Area, in the southern regions of Borno State.
In Yimirmukza village the insurgents killed one person and abducted at least 10 others.
Habu Musa told RNI reporter Aisha Jamal that the insurgents arrived in the village at about 5.30pm.
“They arrived riding 10 motorbikes and in two vehicles. They were shooting haphazardly. As the villagers ran for safety into the bushes, a man was shot and killed. He died instantly. Then the attackers abducted an unknown number of people, both men and women.”
He said there was one particular girl whom the insurgents were targeting. “They kept following her but she ran as fast as she could and they could not catch her. Luckily, she was able to get to Pemi village where she found safety.”
Calmness returned to the village when troops on the ground and in the air arrived at the village.
In Bijibiji, in Askira-Uba, the insurgents did not kill anyone but they stole mostly food.
A resident told RNI: “The insurgents attacked the village, which is not far from Askira-Uba town. They arrived in one vehicle and on at least seven motorbikes. They were shooting wildly as they arrived. Most of the residents ran to the bushes for safety. The attackers raided homes, stealing food and even burning grain and some other food.”
He said it was only when troops from Askira arrived in the village, engaged with the insurgents and chased them away. “In their haste, they threw out some of the food they had stolen.”
When the attack happened, he said, many people broke their fast and slept in the bushes because they were too terrified to return to their homes.
“Everything is calm again, now. But we are frightened. We never know when the next attack will happen. We are scared to do anything because the insurgents could return at any time and we could lose our lives. Infants, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, especially the old people because they often can’t run for safety. Living in constant fear is making us sick with worry. We all know that we face death whenever the insurgents attack. We know every one of our lives is at stake.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
