Bandits, insurgents living among Nigerians, Sanusi laments
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists, at the weekend, killed nine persons in Guzamala Local Council of Borno State.
Following the incessant attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the state, the Bale Galtimari Consultative (BGC) Forum has urged the Federal Government to relocate Giwa Barracks.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has lamented that the country is engulfed in a serious insecurity crisis with bandits residing in many communities.
Victims of the bomb attack were waiting at a bus stop in Mairari Village when the incident happened. Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, yesterday, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday at about 11am, also left scores of villagers injured who were later evacuated to Monguno and Maiduguri for medical treatment.
Lawan also condoled with bereaved families and those who sustained injuries from the blast. He said: “It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IED today (Saturday) while waiting to board vehicles at a local bus stop in Mairari village.”
May Allah grant their souls to Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for quick recovery to those who were evacuated to Monguno and Maiduguri hospitals for treatment after the incident.
“You are aware that Mairari village, which was hitherto the only village that was resettled two times with civil authority in the whole of Guzamala, has remained deserted again due to Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks. As resilient people, most of them who are taking refuge in Monguno, Guzamala and Maiduguri usually visit the Mairari community to farm.”
The Speaker appealed to the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to restore order in the area. According to the forum, the community surrounding the barracks had been attacked many times by the insurgents.
The relocation call was made, yesterday, at a briefing in Maiduguri by the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Culture and Regional Integration. He lamented the experiences of residents that led to “shocks and traumas” whenever the insurgents targeted the barracks for an attack.
Besides the relocation of the barracks, the SA stated, “If we are to overcome this latest wave of insecurity, the time has come for all the stakeholders, including elected officials and community leaders to rise above personal comfort and political silence in protecting people’s lives and property.”
SPEAKING during the 60th birthday celebration of former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja, on Saturday, Sanusi noted that Nigerians were living alongside bandits and Boko Haram terrorists.
The Emir said, “For all those cautioning that we should be careful before entering a crisis, please wake up. We are living with bandits and Boko Haram. We are already in crisis; it has already happened. The question is how do we get out of it?” He also attributed Nigeria’s multi-dimensional poverty to the failure of its leaders.
