…Says, ‘Repentants’ in sordid deals with Gov Zullum.
…Enjoy more than law-abiding citizens in Borno.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Amidst the wide spread allegations of defeat and winning the war against Boko Haram insurgents by Borno State Governor, Babagana U. Zullum, most districts and villages in northern Borno LGAs are still under full control of insurgents.
The Director-General Center for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity Nigeria, Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, made the revelation in a petition he personally addressed to President Bola Tinubu on plight of Christians in districts and villages of northern Borno LGAs.
The petition letter, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, cited the incident of Hajara Ishaya of Dalori Quarters in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, as a typical example of the alleged control by the insurgents.
Rev. Ali Dikwa retorted, ‘Boko Haram has been defeated,’ as severally claimed by the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zullum. “What a lie from the pit of hell?
“A common example is that of Hajara Ishaya, who was kidnapped by the Boko Haram in 2019, but was fortunate to have escaped last year, 2023, and was reunited back to her parents behind Dalori Quarters in Maiduguri. She came home with a baby she bore to one of the Boko Haram fighters.
“Hajara was later traced to her home by the Boko Haram fighters through the aid of the so-called ‘Repented Boko Haram’ and was forcefully taken back to the bush again,” he revealed.
Rev. Dikwa further stated that, “The so-called ‘Repented Boko Haram’ had an agreement with the State Governor to put down their arms and come back to the state capital to be cared for, in which they are enjoying beyond expectations, compared to the law-abiding citizens.
“Sir, what the governor is portraying here is, “Be a law-abiding citizen and suffer poverty and even lose your life, and be a terrorist and enjoy life to the fullest.”
“The game of the so-called ‘Repented Boko Haram’ was coined to deceive everyone outside the state that peace has been restored, even though, it’s a blatant lie.
“The Boko Haram still controls villages outside all the northern LGA headquarters in the State. Stop-and-search of motorists by the Boko Haram fighters is still ongoing.
“The case of Haman Bwala, a student of Sociology, from University of Maiduguri, is still fresh in our memories. He was the only Christian in the commercial vehicle going to Maiduguri, from Biu, when the B/Haram attacked them on the second day of this month.
“Upon entering the bush with their victims, they separated the only Christian among the other passengers and let the rest of the Muslims to go. The so-called ‘Repented Boko Haram’ and their bosom Civilian JTF friends are busy destroying people’s assets in the town of Maiduguri without any security interventions in anyway.
“A report from a reliable eyewitness told of an encounter between a petrol vendor and the so-called ‘Repented Boko Haram’ that; when the so-called ‘repented’ Boko Haram were snatching fuel from a petrol vendor and a police man tried to interrupt the process but was reminded that “We drop our arms to obey the government but our agreed money is not forthcoming; what do you expect of us?”
“The police man left them and went his way. This incident happened just in October 2023. Your Excellency, Sir, my own village, Murye Malum Maaje, Gumsu District, is still under the control of the Boko Haram up till today.
Mr President, Sir, with this little eye opener about the plights of the Christians in Borno State and, particularly Gwoza Local Government Christian indigenes in the IDP Camps within and outside Nigeria, we appeal to your fatherly conscience to come to our aid,” it stated.
The petition also appealed to Tinubu to “Return Gwoza Christians from aforementioned IDP Camps in Cameroon and seven states in Nigeria and other places to their communities.
“Set up a committee for the return of the Christian IDPs, which will include Gwoza Christian Community Association (GCCA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gwoza chapter, and a respected elder from Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigeria Church (EYN).”
“Mr. President should know that the Boko Haram terrorist group in Borno State are still powerful and occupying many districts and villages.
“Your Excellency, Sir, as a father to all and your ascension to the seat of power as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, give us hope of freedom of worship and also for one to live in any location of one’s choice, irrespective of his/her religion or ethnic differences.
“Your Excellency, Sir, we all know – truly God Almighty uses human beings to bring peace and development to people, and your coming to power as such time as this, we may tend to believe that God has a purpose for you to be there should you do the above recommendations to us.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, Sir, in anticipation of your kind actions that will show the world that Nigeria has gotten a true and promising leader,” he appealed.