The youths, who first assembled at the
popularly Ramat Square Ground, later moved to the palace of the Shehu of
Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi, saying they were willing to confront
the terror group if given the go ahead.
They said they were at the palace for
Elkanemi’s blessings which, according to them, would give them success
when fighting the terror sect.
The youths comprising mainly members of
the Civilian Joint Task Force, said they had resolved to enter the
Sambisa Forest and other hideouts of terrorists to hunt them down and
bring an end to the attacks.
The Shehu commended the over 10,000 protesting youths and advised them to always abide by the law.
He also appealed to them to always
follow the directives of the military and other security agencies while
discharging their duties.
The monarch said, “I want to thank you
for this visit and the efforts you are collectively and voluntarily
putting in in order to fight Boko Haram which bent on not only
destroying our social and economic structures, but also killing innocent
people.
“ I want to also appeal to you that you
should desist from politics, religious or ethnic considerations while
discharging your duties to your fatherland.
“In anything you are doing, you must
make sure that you consult all other security agencies so that you work
hand-in-hand to end this terrorism that has been destroying us as a
nation.”
The Coordinator of the Civilian JTF,
Mallam Abba Kalli, told journalists that they were at the Shehu’s palace
to seek for his fatherly advice.
He added that they were optimistic
that with their sticks (Gora ) and local arms, they would raid all
terrorist hideouts and kill the insurgents if given permission.
Kalli also said, “The Civilian JTF is
now more motivated with the support and assurance they received from
retired military men, local hunters and other patriotic citizens who
have expressed their willingness to join the group to end the madness
being perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists in the North- East.”
He however expressed dismay that
President Goodluck Jonathan was not supporting the Civilian JTF whose
members “were sacrificing their lives in the fight to end insurgency in
the North-East.”
Hundreds flee Maiduguri –Report
Amid the protest which created tension
in parts of Maiduguri, hundreds of civilians reportedly fled the
city out of fear that it might also be attacked by Boko Haram.
Apprehension among Maiduguri residents,
according to Reuters news agency, grew after the fierce fighting between
the military and Boko Haram in Bama.
Reuters said travellers besieged bus
stations in the city seeking transport to Damaturu in Yobe State. It
added that vehicles laden with passengers and their belongings were
seen on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.
The agency quoted one of the residents,
Saka Lawal, as having said, “I’m leaving now because people keep saying
Boko Haram may attack Maiduguri anytime and it is possible.”
We’re troubled by ‘apparent’ capture of Bama –US
But in Abuja, the United States
Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, lamented that
Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East and had shown that
it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere.
Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with
Federal Government officials on Thursday, added that Washington was
troubled by the “apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram.
She said the US was preparing to
launch a “major” border security programme to help Nigeria and its
neighbours combat the increasing number and scope of attacks by the
insurgents.
But she was quick to remind the Nigerian authorities that “we are past time for denial and pride.”
She said, “Since we last met in August
2013, the frequency and scope of Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown
more acute and constitute a serious threat to this country’s overall
security.
“Boko Haram has shown that it can
operate not only in the North-East, but in Kano, in Abuja, and
elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the
prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a
tremendous toll on the civilian population.
“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.’’
The outlawed Islamist sect has
killed thousands of people since 2009 and has in recent weeks overrun
and held swathes of territory in the North-East.
On Monday, the militants launched an attack on Bama, a town 78 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Although the military denied that Bama
had been overrun, the Senator representing Borno Central in the National
Assembly, Ahmed Zannah, insisted on Wednesday that the insurgents were
in control of the town.
Thomas-Greenfield, who leads
Washington’s African Affairs team, told the meeting that the upsurge
in violence “constitutes a serious threat” to Nigeria.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s
claim that the captured town of Gwoza was now a part of an Islamic
caliphate “only adds to the perception that the security situation is
steadily worsening,” she added.
Noting that a convoy of Cameroonian
soldiers are deployed as part of a military reinforcement against the
sect, Thomas-Greenfield added, “All of these developments are deeply
disturbing and increasingly dangerous with each passing day.”
Before the “apparent capture of Bama”, the militants seized Gamboru-Ngala, Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Madagali in Adamawa.
Reports also had it on Thursday that the insurgents took over Bara and Gulani also in Yobe State.
Late last month, about 480 Nigerian
soldiers abandoned their posts and fled to Cameroon during a gunfight
with the militants but the Defence Headquarters described their action
as “tactical manoeuvres.”
Thomas-Greenfield said the stakes were
high after experts warned that the Federal Government risked losing
control of the North-East and the violence could spread across borders.
“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is
at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is
in jeopardy. Failure is not an option,” she added.
The diplomat said, “Cameroon’s military
is increasingly forced to fight Boko Haram within its borders and they
flee back into Nigeria without fear. The Chibok schoolgirls and others
remain hostages, enduring horrible and tragic suffering.
“Abubakar Shekau’s bold announcement
that Boko Haram is now governing a ‘caliphate’ only adds to the
perception that the security situation is steadily worsening.’’
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