Borno villagers spend night in bushes to evade insurgents

Hundreds of people in some parts of Borno State, reportedly run and hide in the bushes at night to guard against insugents’ surprised attacks. Families living in areas prone to attacks in southern parts of the state resorted to taking refuge in the bushes following the deadly Christmas Eve and Boxing Day attacks in some […]

Hundreds of people in some parts of Borno State, reportedly run and hide in the bushes at night to guard against insugents’ surprised attacks.

Families living in areas prone to attacks in southern parts of the state resorted to taking refuge in the bushes following the deadly Christmas Eve and Boxing Day attacks in some communities in Hawul Local Government Area and neighbouring Garkida town in Adamawa State.

During the attacks homes, schools, churches as well as shops were looted and torched.

Several people were said to have been injured while others were killed in the attacks.

Wazini Paul, who lives  on the outskirts of Lassa village in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, said people did  not want a repeat of what happened at neighbouring communities in their area.

“That is why we hide in the bushes with our families at least to save lives even if the buildings are destroyed.”

Paul said people who lived in sparse communities ‘find it unsafe’ to live in their houses in evenings because of the frequency of insurgents’ nocturnal activities in the area.

“The attackers hide from the troops in the darkness of the night, when they are apparently more active.”

He said that many of his relatives in the neighboring Kirchinga village under Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State also confided in him that they hid in the bushes at night.

A lady, Awa John in Deli village said her family found safety in the bushes at night even as “we lose sleep due to mosquitoes and biting hamattan.”

She said residents were gripped with fear following the Christmas Eve attacks in some communities.

“We have been sleeping in the bush for a week now since the attack in some communities. My family is afraid of the Boko Haram fighters who shoot and kill people and burn houses,” she said.

Governor Babagana Zulum had on Sunday cut his trip to Abuja short and travelled to some villages attacked by the insurgents on Saturday where he commiserated with the victims and pledged to rebuild damaged buildings.

Meanwhile, troops were said to have repelled an attack on Tungushe village, few kilometers away from Maimalari Barracks on Tuesday. The foiled attack, according to a source, indicated that the “insurgents have advanced towards the state capital.’’