Normalcy Returns to Recovered Communities in Adamawa

Normalcy Returns to Recovered Communities in Adamawa

Nigerian Troops

Daji Sani in Yola

Gradually and steadily, normalcy is returning to many of the towns and communities which have been recaptured from the Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram.

The violent sect had seized the communities and instituted Sharia system of government in the said communities.

But with the renewed determination   of the Nigerian military, along with the assistance of some local hunters, many of the towns and communities have been recovered from the insurgents, even as they have been completely routed and chased out from the communities.

Some of the communities include Mubi, Gombi, Hong, Maiha and other towns in the state.

The towns were deserted as a result of the incessant attacks unleashed on them by the insurgents who were killing innocent residents and destroyed properties worth billions of naira in the affected area.

Determined to confirm the true situation and build confidence in the minds of the people, the Correspondents’ Chapel in Yola  visited Mubi and other affected towns on Monday.

Some residents of the areas who spoke to journalists in Mubi confirmed that the town had been recovered from the control of the insurgents and they expressed happiness with the recent developments.

Some residents who spoke exclusively to THISDAY, said they can now go to bed with their eyes closed, saying the military has taken firm control of the area, adding that the soldiers have been kind to them.

However, a visit round the town shows low socio-economic activities as major streets of  the town remain deserted while some shops across the major streets of Mubi  have remained under lock and key, just as few traders were spotted  at the Central Market going about their normal businesses.

A trader at the Mallam Mohammed Market said he is happy that normalcy has started returning to the town, thanking the authorities for restoring order to the town.

“ We have started opening our shops because of the peaceful atmosphere without the fear of being killed by the insurgents and we are very happy with the development,” Mohammed said.

However, almost all the Commercial Banks in the town have been destroyed and vandalized by the Boko Haram insurgents as a drive round the town shows.

The military has already started a mop up operation in preparation to the opening of the town for the return of displaced residents as every inch of the town is being combed by soldiers who maintain vigilance.

It is also observed that the Nigerian Police Force and Immigration Services were fully in  operation as a visit to the area command of Mubi has seen police officers on duty.

Residents said  one of their major  challenge is lack of full  GSM service to the area   as they called on government to restore it.

“Please help us tell the Government that it should restore the GSM network to us so that we can tell our brothers to come back,” Yakubu  said.

However, at the time of the visit,  decomposing bodies of the insurgents were seen at some places while their bombed hard wares including APC’s, Hilux vans and motorcycles remained abandoned at various locations especially at Mararrabar Mubi where intense fighting took place leading  to the destruction of many buildings.

Source: This Day Live