Madagali: A Walk In The Shadows Of Fear, Hunger

IN March, last year, the Nigerian military recaptured Madagali, the last of Adamawa State’s territories under occupation by Boko Haram militants. Despite the army’s feat, which was supported by local hunters, however, the lives of the people have been anything but normal.

The peace they enjoy is precarious. The town is close to Sambisa Forest, the feared haven of the terrorists. Last month, two female suicide bombers detonated explosives at a busy motor park in Madagali town, killing 17 people and injuring more than 41 others. Intermittent attacks mean that the over 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who returned to their homesteads, are facing a daunting challenge settling down.

In Kirchinga, Gulak and Shuwa (towns in Madagali), some returnees were seen living under trees, as the insurgents have destroyed 98 per cent of their houses. Describing their ordeal, some of the IDPs said their stay in Madagali is comparable to living in hell.

Mr. Wajau Hyariju, a retired teacher, returned to Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government in April, last year. He said until 500 local hunters were mobilised to protect the population, none of the returnees dared move beyond Gulak, as the insurgents carried out attacks on soft targets, like Gata, Lemu, Disa, Jaji, Gwubbla, Isgea, Zagore, Kobara, Metiku, Mezou, and Mildo.

Hyariju said stakeholders, led by the State House of Assembly member representing the area, Emmanuel Tsamdu, funded the hunters, and that improvement in security has been recorded since the group went operational in August.

“None of them (returnees) will tell you they can afford to sleep with both eyes closed. They will tell you that the problems of Madagali are mainly lack of clean drinking water, inadequate military presence and shortage of food,” Hyariju said, adding that since he arrived Gulak with his family, he has not witnessed assistance from any agency of government.

Baring his mind to reporters, recently, Emmanuel Tsamdu said: “The people are running short of food supply. Food, which is a necessity, remains the greatest need of the people of Madagali for now. As I speak to you, there has not been any intervention by the state government.”
Mr. John Dauda, a commercial driver in the town, said most residents in Gulak, Barkkin Dutse and the Sabon Gari area of Madagali trek a distance of 25-30 km to Michika, to get medical care whenever their children or relations fall ill. He also expressed dismay that government and aid agencies have continued to overlook Madagali.
Mrs. Ruth Musa, who lost her husband when the insurgents invaded the town, said since she returned with her four children, she has had to live in an uncompleted building, amid fear of a fresh attack.
“A loaf of bread, which used to sell for N50 naira, now costs N250. Even at that, finding it is not easy. Going to the market to purchase simple items, like salt or pepper, is a huge risk. You don’t know if you would return, or meet the children you left behind alive,” Mrs. Musa said.

She decried harassment by the military. According to her, “There was a day soldiers chased us back. We had gone out to find food. We slept that day without taking as much as water. Sometimes, we don’t know who the real enemy is: whether Boko Haram or soldiers.”

One of the hunters in Madagali, Mr. Enock Javan, said the absence of sophisticated arms has been responsible for continuous attacks on Madagali towns. He urged the government to assist them with better equipment, and boost military presence in the area.

“We need more modern weapons to enable us go after Boko Haram. We should not be waiting for them to come to us; we should be hunting them down, like animals in the bush. But because we lack adequate weapons, we wait for them to come and meet us at home. This will not help in wiping out the insurgents quickly,” Javan said.

Federal House of Representatives member for Michika/Madagali, Adamu Kamale, recently, urged the Chief of Army Staff to call the soldiers to order, alleging that troops in his constituency were maltreating people. He said the soldiers equally harassed him as he travelled to Madagali during the Christmas in the aftermath of a bomb blast. He regretted that the soldiers remained adamant, even after he had identified himself as a federal lawmaker.

“Children cannot go to school when they are sleeping under trees. I wrote to the (House) Committee stating very clearly that their plans to buy textbooks and school uniforms at this stage is a misplaced priority. What the displaced people need now is shelter, food and good health facilities. How can a child go to school when he is sleeping under a tree? I advised the Committee in my letter that the first project should be reconstruction of private residences that were destroyed. This should come before any other project,” Kamale said.

Sarkin Barkan (head of vigilantes) in Kirchinga, Alh. Adamu Kirchinga, said although the successes of the group have gone unnoticed by many in the state, people of the area praise their efforts. He recalled how, last year, “the insurgents killed over 200 worshippers in a church one Sunday,” noting that the intervention of the group has brought a semblance of peace and led to a return of displaced persons. He disclosed that an important part of the campaign by the vigilantes has been dismantling Boko Haram camps and liberating women held by the insurgents.

According to Adamu, relations with the military have been harmonious, until lately when mistrust seemed to set in. He mentioned an incident where “insurgents”, captured by the vigilantes and handed to the military, were “released”. He also disclosed a planned raid by the vigilantes, which the military opposed. Adamu said the raid eventually “led to the arrest of a notorious Boko Haram kingpin.”