Like an innocuous flame, it started and no one paid attention. Then, it became a flickering flame, yet no one took them seriously. Today, the flickering flame has become a wild fire, a hydra-headed monster threatening to squeeze the very life out of Nigerians.
From a band of ragtag army, the Jama’atul Ahlus Sunna Lid Da’awatis Jihad sect, otherwise known as Boko Haram insurgents, have transformed to this sophisticated, well organised terror group, killing, maiming and destroying everything on their path like a rabid dog that does not recognise its owner.
They have rendered thousands homeless and sent thousands more to early grave. In our usual quest to seek a better life for the people by making their voices heard in the right circles, Vanguard visited the victims of the insurgency in their camps in Yola and its environs in Adamawa State and they shared their heart-rending stories, crying out for help:
By Ebele Orakpo
Victim at the camp
THE first port of call was the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Damare Village, Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State where over 5,000 internally-displaced persons, IDPs, are camped. Many came from Michika, Madagali, Gulak and Bazza in Adamawa State as well as Bama and Gwoza in Borno State. Michika (with a population varying between 150,000 and 375,000, was seized by Boko Haram on September 7, 2014 while Madagali fell into their hands on September 1; Gulak was seized on September 1; Bama was seized on September 2 while Gwoza with a population of 276,312 according to the 2006 census, was captured on August 11.
Speaking with Vanguard, Mallam Haruna Hamman Furo, Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA said so far, they have been able to manage the IDPs, providing them with the basic necessities like shelter, food, relief materials, medical care and also education.
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