Deploy troops in Chibok now, House of Reps tells Fed Govt

The House of Representatives is having sleepless nights over the report on the planned take-over of some communities in Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State.

They cautioned the government against threating the report with levity, citing recurring cases of attacks on the innocent citizens living in the area by insurgents.

The House, in a resolution, urged the executive arm of government to deploy troops in the area, especially now that rainy season has subsided.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ahmadu Jaha, the representative from Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency.

The resolution was unanimously supported by other lawmakers.

Jaha said there was urgent need to reinforce security around the troubled areas incessant Boko Haram threats.

According to him, between October 30 and November 19, insurgents attacked four villages in Chibok and Damboa local government areas, the constituency he represents in the Green House.

The lawmaker painted a picture of the havoc wreaked in the area within two weeks.

He said: “Insurgents killed five people and three bulls, burnt 32 shops, took away three vehicles and 300 bicycles in Kauji village on the October 30, killed 14 people, abducted nine people and burnt 53 houses.

“They carted away a vehicle and three motorcycles in Takulashi village on November 1; killed one person, burnt 14 houses, shops and two churches and carted away drugs and other equipment in the clinic at Ntsiha village on the November 16, and killed three people and burnt 32 houses in Azir village on November 19.

The lawmaker, while speaking further on the recurring attacks on his constituents, said: “Barely one month from today, my constituency was attacked more than seven times in seven days and in every attack we recorded loss of lives and property with millions of naira including worship houses and houses of clergymen in that particular environment.

“We have been witnessing for a reasonable period of time right from the inception of insurgency, it has become part of our lives today since nobody can assist us.

“What actually stimulated me to push this motion today is that the insurgents came to the communities and dropped letters that people should surrender their small and light weapons that they use to defend themselves. With this, this shows they are planning to take over and as a result we may end up leaving our ancestral homes which to us is not easy.

“As I’m talking to you now, substantial part of our constituency is still under the occupancy of the Boko Haram and you cannot travel, go to farm one kilometer away without being in the hand of the Boko Haram.”

According to him, nine people abducted in one of the communities are women while two are men, adding that the insurgents razed 53 houses down during the attack.

Subsequently, the House called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide relief materials for the victims of the insurgency.  (The Nation)