Boko Haram are still in Geidam, LG chairman claims

 

The Chairman of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, Hon Ali Kolo has told journalists on Sunday that his town is still very much infiltrated by Boko Haram.

The Chairman’s claim came even as Mainok, a town on Damaturu-Maiduguri highway was invaded on Sunday by the insurgents.

Reliable sources said some group of insurgents engaged troops at their Base in Mainok community of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State at about 3pm on Sunday.

They said the insurgents stormed the military base with the intention of sacking soldiers and loot for arms and ammunitions.

The sources said the insurgents however met their match in the soldiers who stood their ground, repelling the attack and inflicting severe injuries on the retrieving insurgents.

Speaking on the situation of Geidam, Kolo said 72 hours after his town was invaded by Boko Haram, thousands of his people are still trapped and have been infiltrated by the sect members.

He lamented that the insurgents slaughtered two people on Sunday morning including a teacher with Kawuri Primary School, Mallam Baba Tazira.

He decried that over 2,000 people who were displaced in the invasion are currently taking refuge in neighbouring Yunusari Local Government Area.

He said he had wanted to go to Geidam to assess the situation but was held back by the news that the town is still under the total control of Boko Haram.

He claimed that there is no truth in the report by the military that the attack have been repelled.

He said: “As we speak, two of my people including a teacher at Kawuri Primary school, Mallam Baba Tazira, a Babur/Bura man have been slaughtered this morning. The teacher who has been a very dedicated staff was slaughtered in his official staff quarters behind the school, and this is in addition to dozens of my people who were killed, injured, displaced and missing since the attack three days ago.”

He expressed shock over the military’s statement on Saturday that ‘the attack has been repelled with 21 casualties from the side of the terrorists’.

Speaking on the situation in Geidam, the Director General of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje told journalists that the situation is pathetic, noting that over 2000 people have fled into Yunusari local government.

He said the state Governor, Hon Mai-Mala Buni has directed his agency to take an immediate action to provide relief items.

He said: “At this challenging time, as directed by His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, we deeply extended our sympathy and Commiserate with the good people of Geidam community over the unfortunate reported incidences.”

He added that: “As an agency of government, we pray for continuous success of security agencies, the victims of the attack and restoration of peace to the affected community.

“Among the responsibility of YOSEMA is to ensure all emergency victims and survivors of conflict who need emergency attention are attended to and those displaced from their homes are provided with immediate succor.

“YOSEMA as at yesterday (Saturday) evacuated injured victims of gun shots and they are currently receiving treatment at Government Health facility.

He said: “Also, YOSEMA team have identified three neighboring communities where displaced persons from Geidam are currently hosted, first batch of our team as directed by His Excellency have arrived Yunusari to assess and are providing immediate emergency support to the displaced victims especially during this holy month of Ramadan.

“While we continue to pray for our security agencies to succeed, we also want to reiterate the commitment of Yobe State Government and obligations of the agency towards all displaced persons and other victims of the attack who need to be supported and attended. At this trying moments, everyone has a role,”