…Alleges thousands still in Cameroon, 7 States IDPs.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Borno ranking Christian Cleric, Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, popularly known as “Rev. DiKwa,” has raised alarm over what he described as the continuous pathetic plights of B/Haram displaced Christian indigenes in the state, particularly Gwoza LG indigenes in the IDPs, since 10 years ago.
Rev. Ali Dikwa, who is also the Director, General Center for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity Nigeria, made the startling revelation in a petition personally written, signed and addressed by him to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The petition, made available to our correspondent weekend in Kaduna, allegedly revealed that the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana U. Zullum, brought back the Muslim indigenes, who were displaced by Boko Haram, back to their ancestral homes, but left the Christians indigenes at the mercies of God, some State Governors and other African presidents.
Entitled, ‘The Plight of Gwoza indigenes in the IDP camps in and outside Nigeria: An appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Save Borno State from the hands of Boko Haram and to bring back our Gwoza indigenes to their ancestral homes like their Muslim counterparts,’ Rev. Dikwa alleged that thousands of Gwoza LG displaced indigenes are currently taking refuge in Cameroon and 7 other States, including Enugu, Edo and other places.
His words: “Your Excellency, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-In-Chief of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, salute to your concern for putting Nigeria and Nigerians first before anything.
“Sir, we want to bring to your excellent desk of the affairs of our dear country and especially the plight of Christian indigenes of Gwoza Local Government, who were displaced by the Boko Haram from their ancestral homes, for more than 10 years now.
“The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana U. Zullum, has tried in bringing back the Muslim citizens, who were displaced by Boko Haram back to their ancestral homes, but left the Christians at the mercies of God, some State Governors and other African presidents.
“And those that cannot reach to their remote villages were accommodated in the LGA Headquarters and provided security and other basic needs of life, but to the Christians from Gwoza axes, they were left at the mercies of God, some State Governors and other African presidents.
“Sir, it may interest you to know that hundreds of thousands of Gwoza displaced indigenes are currently taking refuge in Cameroun, Yola, Taraba State, Maiduguri Town, Karu, Nasarawa State, Jos, Enugu, Edo and other places.
“Mr President, if you, the States Governors involved and other Presidents of the neighbouring countries do not take a stand to bring them back, these Borno citizens will continue to suffer more untold hardship than the one already experiencing.
“The question that got me no answer up till now is that; if all the State Governors were to mortgage their states to Boko Haram and bandits like Borno State did, where will Nigeria be today?
“These indigenes cannot exercise their franchise because of the locations they found themselves in, and to me this is more like a modern slavery in your own country. These people have limited farm lands, no access to primary health care, no basic education, no portable drinking water and good housing accommodations.
“Should they continue to suffer because they are in the opposite faith to the governor of their state? Is being a Christian a yard stick to displacement from their homelands?,” he asked.