SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – Apparently frustrated by incessant attacks on their town by Boko Haram insurgents, displaced residents of Gwoza, the Borno town recently seized by the insurgents, have threatened to move out of the country and relocate to neighbouring Cameroon.
The people issued the threat Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, when they protested what they called the failure of the Federal Government to adequately protect them from the gunmen who always raid their community at will.
The displaced Gwoza people said they would be left with no other option than move to Cameroon if nothing is done to stop the frequent attack,secure their town from the terrorists and adequately rehabilitate them..
Numbering about a thousand, they accused both the federal and Borno State Governments of abandoning them and leaving them at the mercy of the Boko Haram gunmen who unleash unimaginable terror on them at will.
During the protest, they also displayed placards with inscriptions such as “We are leaving for Cameroon,” “Nigeria does not care for us,” and “We are killed, our houses burnt and left to suffer like orphans,” among others.
The protest rally however turned bloody as one of the placard-carrying protesters was allegedly shot by one of the soldiers who tried to stop the protesters.
The victim said to be 26-year old, is said to be lying in critical condition at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where he was rushed to after being shot..
Despite the shooting and threat from the security operatives, the protesters still went ahead with the rally and made their way to the Borno State Government House, Maiduguri were they lodged their complaint to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha.
Initially, they protested being addressed by the deputy governor, shouting “We voted for the governor and not his deputy,” and “why must we not be addressed by him at this time on our lost.” They alleged that recent actions of Governor Kashim Shettima showed that he care less about their plight. “They’ve burned down the entire Gwoza; Emir’s palace, local government secretariat, police station,…” and no one seems to care, they said.
The protesters also added: “Most people are on top of the Mandara mountains of Gwoza. They are starving.”
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Liman Ngoshe, said those trapped on the mountains were being forced to feed on fruits and rain water.
But in a reaction to the rally, the Borno State Police Command has placed a ban on all manner of protests and rallies in the state.
The ban, according to military and police sources, is to stop the plan by Gwoza women to protest at the Government House, Maiduguri over last Wednesday’s attacks and killings in Gwoza by Boko Haram gunmen.
In a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin,the Borno Police Command said: “It has come to the notice of Borno State Police Command that some group of persons are intending to embark on demonstrations anchored on the current security situation in the state. “Members of the general public are being reminded that they are under obligation to obey the state of emergency imposed.
“All law abiding citizens are therefore assured and guaranteed of protection while they go about their lawful businesses. Such intending demonstrations are capable of causing disharmony, anarchy and pandemonium.
“The Command is advising such persons or group of persons to desist from such act in their own interest or face the wrath of the law. The public are hereby advised to remain calm and report any misconduct to security agencies.”
