Boko Haram Takes Over One End Of Bombed Yobe Bridge

 

After killing eight people in the town, residents of Buni-Yadi and environs have alleged that the insurgents now operate freely without fear of being arrested or attacked by security forces.

Some of the military bases, according to the residents, have been occupied by the insurgents who carry out their onslaught without molestation.

Movement of people, goods and services accros the bridge has been seriously curtailed as very few villagers with severe needs take risks to ply the Damaturu-Biu Road which has been taken over by the insurgents who operate at will.

“We are facing a pathetic situation here as these boys have partially taken over the entire local government at the moment. There are no single security personnel in the whole of Buni-Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba Local Government Area as well as neighbouring Gulani and surrounding environments as the destroyed bridge has given them the impetus to operate freely”, said a resident who pleaded anonymity.

On why the important bridge has not been reconstructed ten days after destruction by the militants, a senior officer with the state Ministry of Works, who also pleaded anonymity, told Channels Television that the staff of the ministry deployed on an assessment visit to the bridge for immediate reconstruction, narrowly escaped being lynched by the insurgents who had laid ambush.

Channels Television was also informed that courageous travelers to the troubled area have to cross over the Katarko River before joining a waiting vehicle at the other end to reach their destinations.

Security forces in the state have however, declined to comment on the issue saying “it’s only the defense headquarters that can respond to such matter”

However a top security agent told Channels Television that “security men are no longer visible in Buni-Yadi, Buni-Gari, Goneri or Gulani Local Government areas”, while people hitherto residing in these areas have relocated to Damaturu, the state capital, for fear of being killed by the insurgents.

It would be recalled that eight people were killed 10 days ago by suspected members of the radical Boko Haram sect in Katarko town, loacted about 22 kilometers south of Damaturu the Yobe state capital.