In a surprise turnaround, residents and recently returned displaced persons – and even military personnel – are now living peacefully and harmoniously with extremists in Bama, Borno State.
But there is fear that if the soldiers are pulled out of the area and sent elsewhere, they might still come under attack again.
The 12-year Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS) insurgency that has ravaged the northeastern part Nigeria has left thousands dead, millions of people displaced and hundreds of victims of kidnappings, abductions and rapes.
Its vicious attacks have affected the lives of millions in all 27 local government areas in Borno State.
Bama was no exception and has over the years suffered from many attacks by the JAS, more commonly referred to as Boko Haram. They killed indiscriminately and forced people to flee in terror, becoming internally displaced persons living in Maiduguri, in host communities, and in other areas within and outside Nigeria – anywhere they could find relative peace.
The Borno State government said recently that all internally displaced persons would be returned to their communities by the end of the year.
RNI reporter Rukayya Ahmed Alibe spoke to some of some recently returned displaced persons in Bama and discovered that they, other residents and even military personnel were living peacefully with extremists in the town.
A recently returned displaced man, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that there were members of the JAS who were living peacefully among them.
“It is peaceful and quiet. Before this, youths in the town used to hide the insurgents and take them salt and other seasonings. But now there is no need to do that anymore. The insurgents are not harming us,” he said.
“Also, having the military in the town – who are also living among the extremists – affords us more security.”
He said that previously the insurgents refused to mix and live with residents because the military would arrest them and take them to the barracks.
“I think the government was aware of the peaceful situation in Bama before they returned us. They knew we were living in poverty as displaced persons and that we needed to get back to our farms and live on our soil again.”
But, he said, many in Bama were afraid that the military troops might be pulled out of the town.
“If that happens the insurgents might attack us again. They have been killing people in the bush for so long, they could easily return to that way of life and then our lives will change drastically again,” he said.
“Even though the town has been free from attacks, we cannot be certain whether the good understanding that exists between the inhabitants and extremists can be sustained for a long period.”
