Some of the ex-servicemen, who had
served in the military, the police, and with
the SSS, said today that they wished to
join youths in the civilian joint task force
(JTF) to stop Boko Haram’s incessant
attacks and recent string of triumphs
over demoralized Nigerian soldiers based
in the violence-ravaged northeast of
Nigeria.
With military officials and the government of Borno
State quietly backing away from claims that the
strategic town of Bama was still in the control of
Nigerian soldiers, at least 12,000 volunteers
gathered today in Maiduguri to offer their services
in the war against the Islamist terrorist group,
Boko Haram. The volunteers, who gathered at the
Maiduguri palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar
Umar Ibn- Garbai Elkanemi, urged the Nigerian
government to accept their services in the war
against terror.
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Our correspondent reported that thousands of ex-
service men, hunters, and youths said they were
ready to become part of the increasingly critical
war against Boko Haram, which recently has
captured several towns in Borno and Yobe States
and killed more than 2,000 civilians in the first half
of 2014, according to Human Rights Watch.
Some of the ex-servicemen, who had served in the
military, the police, and with the SSS, said today
that they wished to join youths in the civilian joint
task force (JTF) to stop Boko Haram’s incessant
attacks and recent string of triumphs over
demoralized Nigerian soldiers based in the
violence-ravaged northeast of Nigeria.
The prospective volunteers trooped today to the
palace of the Shehu of Borno to seek his support
and cooperation in their desire to combat the
seemingly energized and increasingly more brutal
Islamist insurgents. Some of the vigilante
volunteers vowed to enter Sambisa forest and
other hideouts to hunt down Boko Haram militants
and bring an end to the ongoing insurgency.
Over the last three weeks, Boko Haram insurgents
launched a series of attacks on several towns in
Borno and neighboring states, including Damboa,
Gamboru Ngala, Bama and Banki. The terrorists
have seized numerous towns and engaged in
widespread slaughter of civilians. Thousands of
people have been displaced, some of them taking
refuge in neighboring west African countries.
Some of the volunteers said their goal was to resist
Boko Haram’s reign of terror and to reverse the
insurgent group’s seizure of important towns.
Ex-staff sergeant Yahaya Suleiman, who fought in
Nigeria’s civil war, urged the Nigerian government
to accept the offer from him and others. “We are
fully ready to join the military in fighting against
terrorism. Enough is enough. All we need is
support from the federal government to stop this
madness.”
The dramatic gathering came a day after the
Shehu of Borno suggested that people of different
faiths observe three days of alms, prayers and
fasting in order to restore peace to the state and
the country at large.
The Shehu also called on members of the vigilante
youth, popularly known as 'Civilian JTF,' to always
abide by the rule of law while discharging their
civic responsibilities.
Addressing the volunteers, the traditional ruler
commended the effort of the civilian JTF in tackling
the Boko Haram insurgency. He urged them to
always follow the directives of the military and
other security agencies. He added that the civilian
JTF had helped to dislodge the sect from Maiduguri
and surrounding areas. He encouraged other
besieged towns and communities to set up their
own volunteers to help fight terrorism.
“I want to thank you for this visit and the effort you
are collectively and voluntarily making in order to
fight Boko Haram who are bent in not only
destroying our social and economic structures, but
also killing innocent lives. I want to also appeal to
you that you should desist from politics, religious
or ethnic considerations while discharging your
duties.”
The Borno State coordinator of the civilian JTF,
Abba Aji, said the residents of the beleaguered
states had suffered enough at the hands of Boko
Haram. He said he and other volunteers were
determined to go after the insurgents “even if we
are not well armed. We are optimistic that, with our
sticks, Dane guns and other local arms, we will
raid all terrorist hideouts and kill them when given
permission by the federal government.”
Mr. Aji added that members of the civilian JTF were
now more motivated with the support and
assurance they received from retired military men,
local hunters and other patriotic citizens who have
expressed their willingness join the group to end
the madness perpetrated by Boko Haram
terrorists.
The passion displayed by the volunteers came as
US authorities tacitly confirmed that the insurgents
had indeed seized the town of Bama, contrary to
earlier denials by the Nigerian military and Borno
State officials. Bama is less than 45 miles from
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Its capture by
Boko Haram raised fears that the group might try
to seize Maiduguri as well.
A top US official announced plans to offer a border
security initiative designed to help Nigeria and
other threatened West African countries to contain
the Islamists.
Speaking in Abuja, Assistant Secretary of State
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the situation
on the ground in Nigeria as “worsening.” Noting
that attacks by Boko Haram insurgents had “grown
more acute,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield added, “This
is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past
time for denial and pride.”
The official stated that the US was “very troubled
by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects
for an attack on and in Maiduguri.”
Speaking to SaharaReporters, an official of Borno
State backed away from earlier claims that Bama
was still in the hands of Nigerian soldiers. The
source blamed the deputy governor for spreading
the misleading information, admitting that Bama
was under the control of Islamist insurgents. The
official said he was confident that Nigerian troops
and civilian volunteers would drive the terrorist
fighters out of Bama and other seized towns in
Borno State.
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