Following Sunday’s massacre in eight Borno communities by the Boko Haram sect, which has so far claimed 121 lives, former Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has condemned the continued violence in Borno State. He described the ideology fueling the Boko Haram insurgence as devilish and senseless, adding that it should not be given space in any civilized society.
This came as the Federal Government declared, yesterday, that the Air Force and the Army have stepped up their air and land attacks to checkmate the terrorists.
Meanwhile, governors of the 19 Northern states, under the aegis of Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, as well as the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, have also joined General Buhari in condemning the killings and urged the Federal Government to arrest the situation before it spreads to other parts of the country.
Boko Haram violence devilish
Buhari in an unprecedented rebuke against the sectarian violence, called on the security agencies and the authorities to intensify vigilance just as he expressed amazement that the terrorists and criminal elements could still express themselves despite the heavy militarization of the region.
Gen. Buhari’s statement posted on his facebook page on Sunday night after the latest reports of about 121 deaths had at press time, yesterday, drawn 862 likes and 967 comments.
The three-time presidential candidate and national leader of APC in the statement said: “We condemn the recent escalation of senseless violence in Borno State. Our prayers and sympathies are with the victims and their families.
“There is no justification for this wanton disregard for the sanctity and dignity of human life. Any ideology that trafficks in terror and violence is a devilish ideology that has no place in a civilized society.
“This is the time for our security agencies and those responsible for the security and well-being of our citizens to intensify vigilance in order to mitigate future occurrences.
“Because, it is inconceivable that despite heavy militarization, terrorists and other criminal elements are still able to terrify the defenceless populations of those areas.
“May God grant us the strength and unity to overcome this.”
Military in air, land raid
Reacting to weekend’s attacks in Borno, Defence Headquarters in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said: “The ongoing onslaught against terrorists in some parts of the country will not be deterred by the unfortunate attacks being carried out against troops and innocent civilians by the insurgents.
“The terrorists who move from village to village attacking innocent civilians are those escaping from the onslaught against their makeshift hideouts along the border and entry point from neighbouring countries.
“The fighting patrols by air and land are being stepped up in the forests and hills of the affected areas and other parts of the north east where the Boko Haram terrorists are hiding.
“The security forces will continue to employ necessary fire power to enhance the effectiveness of the mission until the terrorists are duly curtailed.
“Meanwhile, locations that are prone to attacks are being reinforced while the general area is now under heightened surveillance and patrols. Some suspected perpetrators of the recent assault have been apprehended and weapons recovered from them.”
Death toll hits 121, thousands displaced
Meanwhile, the District Head of Izge, Mallam Bulama Apagu and the chairman of Madagali Council of Borno State, Mr Maina Ularamu, yesterday, said the death toll in Boko Haram attacks and killings at Izge; has increased from 106 to 121, as more bodies have been recovered in destroyed houses, nearby bushes and farmlands and were buried, yesterday.
The 15 additional dead bodies including women and teachers who were slain by the sect members as they attempted to flee their houses into the bush were discovered by the district head.
Speaking yesterday, in a telephone chat with newsmen, Ularamu said that 60 bodies were buried Sunday evening, including the 31 bodies that were discovered from the market square.
He said the other bodies were recovered Sunday by the Volunteer Group Members from houses and the nearby bush.
He, however, noted that more bodies could be recovered by the volunteer group, as some of the residents fled in different directions when the entire town was burning for over five hours.
Ularamu said: “The killing of many people in Izge has terrified and shocked the survivors, mainly the elderly, women and children. These forced some of them to flee to the nearest safe place, like Gulak, the council headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. You know that Gwoza is also not safe for the fleeing residents to take refuge. This was why more people from Izge are fleeing on foot, bicycles and motorcycles to the administrative headquarters of Madagali council, 30 kilometres away from Gwoza town in Borno State.
“As at yesterday morning, when I visited the temporary resettlement camps, we had over 10, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); and more are coming into this camp, because the people of other villages of Yazza, Bita, Waga Chakawa, Sabon Gari, Gori and Jaje with a population of over 1, 500, are still trooping into Gulak town for safety and relief materials from either the state or Federal Government.”
Mallam Apagu said the withdrawal of troops by the 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, after the killing of 10 soldiers in a clash with insurgents on Thursday, February 13, left the entire township vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks and killings on Saturday.
“I cannot speak further to you on these multiple attacks on my people who had done nothing against these gunmen. We need more soldiers and policemen to protect us against terrorist attacks and killings here in this town,” Apagu said, yesterday.
He said as a result of the large number of people killed, the volunteer group members were burying the bodies in mass graves of 15 bodies per grave as the ground was hard to dig. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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good decition to come out and comdem the killing of innocent citizens on your country as a former leader. many people will begin to respect you from now as you shift ground. we thank you gen. Buhari.
ReplyDeleteFinally the man is doing what he should have done years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat was Buhari supposed to do? Is he the President? I strongly believe we had a strong President on seat, a decisive decision and action would have been taken to curb this mess. If our military cannot contain insurgents in just one state of the federation, what would happen if we are under external aggression? The military cannot be so under-equipped with the huge budgetery allocations to it, umless the Nigerian factor (Corruption) is playing its role. Where has our airforce, infantry and whatever gone to/ We are tired of hearing the raiding and killing of soldiers even in their barracks, how docile can they be? it's a shame honestly.
ReplyDeleteWow you are just coming back to Nigeria after how many years of senseless death! Well 2015 is around the corner why won't you condemn BH attacks? You are just begging for votes.
ReplyDeleteBuhari, Nothern leaders and 19 state Governoe have been supporting this evil boko haram. We are very ready for them in oor aera. The economics situation of th Northerners has been crippled and innocent people are also been killed. Who so ever that support evil jihadis shall die in suffering on earth here. God almighty wil never leave un punished
ReplyDeleteThe robot you created is totally out of your control. Why has it taken him this long to say a thing like this.Well, we still appreciate it but it is a bit late.
ReplyDeleteit is too late for him to do that, who is thanking him, for what, right inside the bottom of their mind, they supported it, but now is going out of hands as they themselves that intend to make the country ungovernable for someboby can no more control it. That is what selfish interest can cause. They are destroying the whole cities and giving bad image to Nigeria as a whole, wasting lives that no nothing about politics.....
ReplyDeleteOf what use is this medicine after death. This man said he would make this country ungovernable if he was not elected into power and he lived true to his words. Is it because it has begun to affect him, he is now singing a different tune? There is no way B H, (Bu Hari Boko Haram) will continue to terrorise this country especially the the northern axis and you tell me that one way or the other his relatives will not swallow the bitter pills. This man knew what he was doing but he did not know the consequencies of his actions. God bless Nigeria
ReplyDeleteBuhari, are you sincere or you are just talking so that the public we remove their eyes from you.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, when they Boko Haram are tired they will face you.
you and your cohort will definitely pay for the innocent blood you have spilled.
Time will tell.
This talk reach your mind? or you dey brain wash Nigerians'? which one you dey? the scarter scarter stated from you, hope you know dat?
ReplyDeleteBahari u are a fool. Cos of 2015. Manage oooo. Till u see ur head in d hands of ur broda. Mumu genenal idiot. Cos of politics u forget peace and unity. May God purnish u.
ReplyDeleteI think Buhari condeming the BH now is already late. I know is not from his heart, he is saying this coz the election is around the cornner. We can't be decived.
ReplyDeleteThe masses of the north must calll their elites to order and wake up. Their BH strategy to subdue the nation has backfired now and they cannot put the genie back in the bottle. It is not southerner that being butchered anymore but their own people. Why was this not condemned before the electioneering?
ReplyDeleteGod is watching u all (blood sucker)
ReplyDeleteit is too late old man and the bad governors ,history will never forgive all of you may the soul forgive you if it is posible
ReplyDelete