Fled Villagers Must Return As A Matter Of Urgency

While addressing surviving residents of Zabarmari, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said the fleeing villagers trooping to Maiduguri to take refuge as a result of Boko Haram attacks should return to their respective houses.
His words: “Since the military have repelled the insurgents from destroying this village, the people should not run and flee to Maiduguri for safety, but return to your homes which were burnt apart from the torched shops and local market.” 

He said villagers that have already fled and congregated at the Old Maiduguri resettlement camp should as matter of urgency return to Zabarmari and Hadamari villages, as nine buses are at the camp for shuttling the fleeing villagers to their homes.

He also assured the villagers that the state government will rebuild the destroyed shops and market, so that the people could continue with their normal daily activities.

“Meanwhile, I am going with two village heads now along with your councillor to Maiduguri to collect food items and other basic needs of life for distribution. A patrol vehicle will be released to CJTF for this village’s patrol and surveillances,” assured Shettima.

Briefing the governor on recent attacks, the councilor, Alhaji Mohammed Bello said the soldiers have tried their best in repelling the insurgents before fleeing towards Koshobe village, one of the insurgents’ regrouping hideout in Borno State.

He however said that the soldiers should be re-equipped with modern fighting weapons, because the insurgents’ three-hour attacks could have been nipped in the bud to save people’s lives and property. 

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Ahmadu Bello, however said that after the soldiers repelled the insurgents, the gunmen fled to a nearby village known as Koshobe, seven kilometres east of Zabarmari village. 

“As I’m talking to you now; the insurgents are hiding in Koshobe village, not very far away from this village attacked recently when seven people were killed, with the injuring of nine others taken to Maiduguri hospital for treatments,” said Bello on the hideouts of insurgents.