SOLDIERS AND MAIDUGURI RESIDENTS ON THE RUN ;BOKO HARAM

Considering the insurgent activities of the  Boko Haram sect  in the  Northern
Nigeria and their recent movement towards Maiduguri in Nigeria, it appeared,
yesterday, as though the army has given up, with
soldiers deserting and residents fleeing the
towns and villages.
At night, a resident said he was awake and
heard gun shots from a distance. “Nobody can
sleep anymore,” explained a resident from
Maiduguri, who wanted to remain anonymous.
Gwoza, Bama, Gulak, Michika, Duhu, Shuwa,
Kirshinga captured by insurgents
Gwoza, Bama, Gulak, Michika, Duhu, Shuwa,
Kirshinga – the Islamists have been capturing
new cities on an almost daily basis.
They arrive in hijacked army vehicles, fight off
the Nigerian troops and terrorise the
residents. “Boko Haram are committing all
kinds of atrocities killing and raping. At the
same time they are taking young girls in
batches and the city is littered with dead
bodies,” said Senator Ahmed Zanna. Bama is
just 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from Maiduguri
and fell to the Islamists four days ago. Zanna
recounts how the soldiers who were supposed
to defend Bama, refused to advance any
further, noting, “They were ill equipped and
they just stayed in Kondudga.”
Sect gunning for Maiduguri
Maiduguri would be a major win for Boko
Haram in their hope of creating an Islamist-
ruled state. “Even a brief capture of Borno’s
capital, will be a significant symbolic victory
for Boko Haram,” said Ryan Cummings, a
South African security expert, who is also a
member of the Nigerian Security Networks.
Capturing Maiduguri would give Boko Haram
a very strong boost, believes the Nigerian
expert Nnamdi Obasi of the International
Crisis Group, added. With Maiduguri, the
Islamists would not only control a major city
but also an international airport.
The morale of the government troops is very
low and the terrorists are better equipped.
Military officers said: “We cannot do anything
against Boko Haram, because most of the
Boko Haram are using modern automatic
weapons and the military is using AK47s.”
A reporter in Adamawa State said the
town can also fall prey to Boko Haram.
We all live in fear, says resident
“We all live in fear,” explained a resident.
“Because soldiers come into our houses, take
off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes.
So if the military is already fleeing the fight,
we don’t stand a chance.”
Over 10,000 flee the fighting
Thousands of people have fled the fighting. In
Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, residents
have taken in those who had to leave their
homes. Ten people now live in one room and a
woman who goes by the name of Aisha
explained their fate: “There is nobody left in
our town. Everyone has left, because the
terrorists came into our town and they killed
the people. We are desperate for help.”
In Maiduguri, residents are now also preparing
to leave. “The people are scared. Many have
already left the city,” said a woman who chose
to remain anonymous. “We who remain here,
hope that God will help us.”
The residents have armed themselves with
sticks. They no longer believe that the army
will defend them. Thousands of young men
have now gathered in Maiduguri and are
demanding that the government recognize
them as local defence groups, so that they can
officially support the soldiers.
“There are soldiers in the city, but they are not
well-armed,” explained a resident who had
trouble sleeping. Even the Senator Ahmed
Zanna is unsure whether the army can defend
Maiduguri: “If Bama with an army of 1,000
can fall within three to five hours, then there is
every likelihood that these people will advance
towards Maiduguri."
In the meantime, official sources say that
Bama is once again under government control
and that Maiduguri is safe for now.
Nevertheless, the residents remain skeptical.