Connect with us

News

Lawmaker begs Nigerian govt to deploy troops to Chibok community

Published

on

Angry lawmaker from North-East threatens to resign over worsening insecurity

The member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State, Hon. Ahmadu Jaha, has asked the Federal Government to deploy more troops to the Chibok community as reports of a planned take-over of the area by Boko Haram terrorists have become worrisome.

Jaha who spoke during plenary on Tuesday, cautioned the government against treating the report with levity, citing recurring cases of attacks on residents of the area in the past few weeks.

While speaking on the floor of the House, Jaha said there was urgent need to reinforce security around the troubled areas due to incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

According to him, between October 30 and November 19, insurgents attacked four villages in Chibok and Damboa local government areas, killing some residents and kidnapping others.

Read also: Five years after Jonathan’s ‘failed’ promise, Gov Zulum orders rehabilitation of Chibok girls’ school

The lawmaker also painted a picture of the havoc wreaked in the area within two weeks and urged the House to adopt a motion of public importance he sponsored to that effect.

“Only recently, insurgents killed five people and three bulls, burnt 32 shops, took away three vehicles and 300 bicycles in Kauji village. On the October 30, they killed 14 people, abducted nine people and burnt 53 houses,” Jaha lamented.

“They carted away a vehicle and three motorcycles in Takulashi village on November 1, killed one person, burnt 14 houses, shops and two churches and carted away drugs and other equipment in the clinic at Ntsiha village on the November 16, and killed three people and burnt 32 houses in Azir village on November 19.

“Barely one month from today, my constituency was attacked more than seven times in seven days and in every attack, we recorded loss of lives and property with millions of naira including worship houses and houses of clergymen in that particular environment.

“We have been witnessing these attacks for a reasonable period of time, right from the inception of insurgency, it has become part of our lives today since nobody can assist us.

“What actually stimulated me to push this motion today is that the insurgents came to the communities and dropped letters that people should surrender their small and light weapons that they use to defend themselves.

“With this, it goes to show they are planning to take over and as a result, we may end up leaving our ancestral homes which to us, is not easy.

“As I’m talking to you now, substantial part of our constituency is still under the occupancy of the Boko Haram and you cannot travel, go to farm one kilometer away without being in the hand of the Boko Haram.”

The House which unanimously supported the resolution, urged the executive arm of government to deploy troops in the area, especially now that rainy season has subsided.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now