Letters

Life as a student in Boko Haram territory

MAIDUGURI, the capital city of Borno State in North-Eastern Nigeria has come alive with its commercial activities receiving a boast, the increasingly hot weather due to global warming notwithstanding.

Life in Maiduguri before now had been that of fun spiced with moderate standard of living for an average student. This has made the University of Maiduguri community to be attractive to Nigerians from all walks of life from all the states of the federation.

The emergence of the Islamic terrorist group; Boko Haram in the North-East of Nigeria has completely ruined this peaceful life that people used to have.

Boko Haram under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau who is the successor of the group’s first leader, Mohammed Yusuf has been successfully terrorizing states in the North-East like Borno, Yobe and Adamawa until the advent of chief of army staff Tukur Buratai who assisted in turning things around a bit.

In spite of the efforts of the armed forces, the insurgents have refused to be terminated. These three states are the worst affected states since the emergence of terrorist activities in Nigeria. Thousands of people have been killed in this region forcing hundreds of thousands fleeing their homes which are usually razed down. It became so bad that this region became a no-go area for at least six months when residents had to go to Damaturu to call loved ones and return back to Maiduguri.

Gombe Police, DSS, Army foil planned abduction of students

It was very risky for residents including students to travel down to Maiduguri within the deadly years of 2014 to 2016. Many students had to relocate to other universities where the insurgency was not part of their daily routine.

A lot of hope has begun to shine on students and the entire people of this region. For the past years, the Nigerian armed forces have continued to intensify its efforts in ensuring that peace is actually restored in this region. Nigeria Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai launched operation “Zaman Lafia Dole”. This operation has been ensuring that the insurgents have been hit deep into their hideouts in Sambisa forest. With the help of armed forces from neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, a multi-national task force was set up.

The insurgents do not have anywhere to go as forces from neighbouring countries have been on high alert. Successes are still being recorded with the help of these operations as the Boko Haram has been hit hard and their leader according to Nigeria armed forces is on the run dressing like women.