Nigerian district head, others flee to Cameroon after deadly Boko Haram attack

The District Head of Kirawa in Borno State, Abdulrahman Abubakar, has crossed into Cameroon after Boko Haram insurgents torched his palace and left the border community deserted.

Sources revealed that many residents escaped in trucks to nearby Cameroonian villages, while others sought safety in Pulka — where Nigerian soldiers are stationed — and in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The mass flight followed a recent attack in Kirawa, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, during which gunmen set several homes ablaze, including the monarch’s residence.

Residents confirmed on Wednesday that the town now lies empty.

Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu  Ali Kirawa, urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in the area.

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“As of yesterday evening, I was informed that many of our people boarded trucks to Cameroon communities, particularly in one market there. While some returned to Pulka, a Nigerian community where there are soldiers.Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are requesting the Federal Government to establish a brigade and increase military deployment,” he said.

Displaced resident Aji Modu, now in Maiduguri, also pleaded for urgent humanitarian aid.“As I speak to you, no single person is in Kirawa; everyone has run away. Even our district head is currently sleeping in Kerawa, Cameroon. They need shelter and life support.If I am to quantify, 60 percent of our people have run to Cameroon, while the remaining 40 percent, myself inclusive, are scattered in Borno villages and Maiduguri, where there is military presence,” he explained.

Another resident, Atahiru Lawan, said people fled mainly out of fear of renewed attacks.“We don’t have any military base here. Ever since the Cameroonian forces left due to the attack that displaced our people, we have been left to our fate, protecting ourselves with the help of the Civilian Joint Task Force. Now we are at a crossroads, fearing that the terrorists will strike again,” he said.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, also expressed concern about the absence of Nigerian troops in Kirawa. He said the vacuum has deepened insecurity in the border region, citing last Friday’s ambush by insurgents on motorists and Civilian Joint Task Force members along the Kirawa–Pulka road.

Reacting to the incident, Ndume said:“It is very disheartening that I received a distress call that some armed Boko Haram terrorists laid an ambush on motorists and passengers along the Kirawa–Pulka road yesterday. The victims were escorted by a few members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, as there was no military escort due to the dislodgement of Cameroonian troops based in Kirawa last month.Unfortunately, one of our brave Civilian Joint Task Force members was killed during an exchange of gunfire in the ambush.

“Many victims are nowhere to be found as I speak. At least six vehicles, including two Volkswagen Golf saloon cars, a bus, and three trucks, were set ablaze during the attack.”

He appealed to the authorities to intervene swiftly.“Let me also appeal to the military authorities to deploy troops, even if it is a platoon, to safeguard Kirawa and its people, because my people are now living in perpetual fear since the dislodgement of Cameroonian troops last month,” the senator said.

(PUNCH)