– Explosive devices abandoned or intentionally planted by terrorists still threaten the locals
– Governor Shettima of the neigbouring Borno state made a similar statement last week
A solider holds captured Boko Haram’s flag
Baba Malam-Wali, the secretary to the state government, represented Governor Ibrahim Gaidam gave the latest updates on the situation, upon the end of the meeting and talks with NPA’s representatives.
“Presently, there is no part of the state that is under the control of insurgency. Plans are in the pipeline to relocate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities.
“We are awaiting clearance from security agencies who are mopping up the areas of explosive devices to give us the go ahead to commence relocation of the IDPs,” he said.
READ ALSO: Nigerian army’s fight against Boko Haram is making tremendous progress — spokesman
According to the authorities, Yobe has over 300,000 IDPs out of which 280,000 were living in host communities.
Mai Musa, the acting chairman of Gujba local government, spoke to NAN reporters in Damaturu. He said residents of Wagir, Nyakire, Mutai, Buni Gari, Gujba, Katarko and Garin Itace, who fled their communities because of Boko Haram had mostly returned.
“The people have engaged in irrigation farming in most of the communities, while business activities have picked up in the village markets,” he said. “As you know, Buni Yadi, has since been liberated and occupied by the security but, they have yet to be authorised by the residents to return.’’
“Although the people are anxious to go back, the security forces are still clearing the town to ensure that it is free from explosive devices that might have been planted by the insurgents when they occupied the town.
“We have recorded increase in livestock trade in Wagir after the liberation of the area.
“Members of the host communities have constituted vigilance groups working closely with the army and this has recorded tremendous success in identifying the insurgents and effectively fighting them. Boreholes, schools, hospitals and private properties were either burnt or vandalised.
“There is the urgent need for government, international organisations, donor agencies and philanthropists to contribute and support the resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people,” Chairman Musa concluded.
Isa Suwaid, a leader of the NPA delegation, said the management assisted the IDPs with immediate and basic needs to cushion their hardships. In cooperation with the National Emergency Management Agency they have been distributing donated nylon mats, mattresses, pieces of blanket, jerry cans of vegetable oil, bags of beans and maze, and other foods and supplies.
It would be noted that last week Governor Shettima of the neigbouring Borno state made a similar statement, This was in responce to Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai’s claim that the Nigerian Army has full control of just three of 27 local government areas in the state.
In general, in the month of January the north-east witnessed the lowest figure of Boko Haram’s victims since 2013
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