Rumours that Asheikh Mamman Gadai, the chairman of the Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, was kidnapped during an attack on his convoy by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents last week are false.
Gadai was apparently not among the convoy when the attack occurred along the Maiduguri-Monguno Road, between the towns of Gajiram and Gajiganna.
A policeman was, however, killed in the attack.
A resident of Gajiram, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said: “The ISWAP insurgents attacked the security convey of the chairman, but he was not in it. Rumours have been circulating that Gadai was kidnapped but they are false.
“The insurgents arrived in four vehicles. They killed one police officer and the rest of the security operatives in the convoy, including police and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, ran for their lives and took cover. Some of the security operatives returned to Gajiganna; others went to Gajiram. The incident happened on Wednesday, July 28, at about 10am at Mill Forty, a village between Gajiganna and Gajiram, about 10km from the headquarters of the Nganzai local council.
“Most of the people in the convoy were members of the police and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). There were no government officials or civilians. The insurgents set fire to one of the cars belonging to the security operatives. Apart from the policeman who was killed, no one else was wounded or killed,” the source said.
“The security operatives, usually mainly police, travel to Nganzai every week for market day. It is their job to monitor the market square, as well as the roads in Gajiram town and its environs. There is no police station in the town, so the units from each town divide themselves and work on a duty roster. Every week 20 to 30 police officers come to the town to protect the lives and property of those who attend the market.
“Last week, the insurgents attacked their convoy. Most people believe the attack was carried out by ISWAP, because they often target security personnel.”
The source said that after the convoy was attacked security operatives immediately took strict measures by closing the road between Gajiganna and Gajiram for almost six hours. Motorists coming from Maiduguri could not go beyond Gajiganna until the security operatives opened the road at about 4pm.
He said in the past two two weeks, unknown gunmen riding on more than 12 motorbikes had been terrorising people, especially farmers in areas around Gajiram.
Some people believed the gunmen were armed robbers, while others said they were members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram.
“So, for now, we don’t know whether they are Boko Haram or armed robbers but the gunmen stole valuables, such as money, clothes, shoes and food from the farmers who were on their way to their lands in a nearby forest on the outskirts of Gajiram. That’s the reason the farmers always make sure they have at least ₦500 to ₦600 in their pockets for the gunmen in case they’re attacked.”
The source said security in Gajiram was deteriorating and it was imperative for the government to take all the necessary security measures to address insecurity in the Nganzai local council.
“There are about 35,000 people living in Gajiram town and most of them are farmers but many do not go to their lands because of their fear of the insurgents. They expect to be attacked at any stage. Last year the insurgents burnt down people’s farms and stole produce that had been havested.
“The farmers are having a hard time. Often during the harvesting period, the insurgents chase them from their lands. Because of this, sometimes the farmers sneak on to their lands at about 1am to 2am to harvest produce.”
The source emphasised the need for both the federal and state governments to act swiftly against the rising insecurity. He said a few days ago farmers returning from their farms along Gajiganna-Nganzai-Monguno road were attacked. They had gunshot wounds on their hands and legs as a result.
“I saw this with my very own eyes, because I was in Gajiram at that time.”
He said the local vigilantes and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lacked adequate operational equipment and patrol vehicles so they could not perform their job of protecting people in the Nganzai local council.
“We need the governments’ help urgently so that farming activities will thrive again here. God willing.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
