Black Friday!

It was on Friday, January 22, 2012, in the afternoon to be precise, when we heard persistence sounds of guns shot in Kano, then bomb blasts and the sky looked unusual, darker than it was, many feared dead, others sustained first grade injuries, unquantifiable properties were burnt to ashes, those responsible for protecting our lives […]

It was on Friday, January 22, 2012, in the afternoon to be precise, when we heard persistence sounds of guns shot in Kano, then bomb blasts and the sky looked unusual, darker than it was, many feared dead, others sustained first grade injuries, unquantifiable properties were burnt to ashes, those responsible for protecting our lives run for cover, only few brave ones got the courage to stand the attack in which Islamic group, Boko Haram says it is responsible; a group created, hatched and breeds in North Eastern states of Nigeria.

But to the surprise of many, this and subsequent attacks in Kano and its environs escaped the eyes and ears of the Senators from North East when they vehemently rejected the inclusion of Kano and Plateau State as a beneficiaries of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), a body responsible for restructuring the damages made by Islamic radical group and to empower people to prevent future occurrences.

Although the presence of the group in other states will never be underestimated, but the Kano Friday attack was rated extraordinary by analysts, and news outlet.  

As if the ancient state is main target of the group, on another Friday November 28, 2014, the Islamic Radicals coordinated another attack on the Kano central mosque during Friday’s prayer. The gunmen set off three bombs and opened fire on worshippers who were prostrating before their God and killed over a hundred and wounded 135 people as officially reported by the Kano state government. And the subsequent attacks between the two black Fridays in the state were more pathetic that keeps our eyes wet.

I can recall with nostalgia on September 17, 2014, when thousands of students were busy in the lecture theater at Federal College of Education, Kano when same gunmen stormed and open fire in the school after several explosions. The few ones were lucky to escape, while hundreds were either injured or killed.  According to the eye witness, the gunmen invaded the school campus after killing security personnel at the gate. The attackers later threw improvised explosives at students shot those who tried to escape.

Same group on Monday, June 23, 2014 paid a visit to School of Hygiene, Kano, and as usual many students lost their lives as a result of the blast and gun shots. As the considerable numbers of their students are elderly people, the attack increases the tally of the orphans due to Boko Haram attacks in the state.

Despite being badly attacked, the groups kept terrorizing the state bombing uncountable number of churches, mosques, primary schools, markets, as well as hit and run coordinated attacks which was the daily routine, which sent many to their graves.

As the federal government shows its readiness to help those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, they should find an avenue to compensate the loss of lives and properties to the states that are not covered by the NEDC. The rehabilitations program should not be restricted to the states in the North east.

Auwal A. Dankano, Kano