Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state; has ordered the State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA to assess property destroyed in Geidam by Boko Haram insurgents Wednesday night. Geidam, 180 kilometre north of Damaturu, is a border community with Niger Republic, was attacked by suspected terrorists torching several houses, shops and a hospital, including the snatching of food items. Confirming the incident yesterday (Thursday) in an interview in Damaturu, Hamidu Yakub, a resident told The Guardian that his house was set ablaze, while his harvested sorghum and beans were also looted. He lamented that the soldiers were informed of the insurgents’ taking positions by 2pm, but they could not respond to repel Boko Haram infiltration into the border community. “We had no option other than to flee into nearby bushes and River, while others had to travel as far as to Damaturu, to take refuge,” he said, noting that some of the residents fled to neighbouring villages along the Geidam/Bayamari/Damaturu road. He said the chasing of suspects by troops and the Nigerian Air Task Force was belated, as insurgents have already fled with looted food items and drugs into border areas. According to Buni, SEMA is to provide emergency support and take stock of Geidam’s destruction of property by Boko Haram attack. While commiserating with the people of Geidam, he said that the attacks were ‘unfortunate and most destructive’ to the community. “The attack came at a time when there is general improvement in peace and security across the state,” he said. He noted that the improvement in security and the support provided by the government has given the people the opportunity to gradually resettle to restore their means of livelihoods. He however said the attack would not deter the government in its efforts to rebuild, reconstruct and rehabilitate communities initially destroyed by terrorists. He said the state government and the people will continue to partner with the security agencies for the full return of peace and security across the state. SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Goje, assured the Governor that the agency had commenced stock taking of damages caused by insurgents. “In line with the directives of His Excellency; the Executive Governor of Yobe State; Mai Mala Buni, l am leading the team to Geidam to assess the situation. “The assessment is in areas, where an immediate intervention could be provided with succour to the people,” he said.
