By The mind can never be at peace if the environment is not. Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state, located in the northern part of Nigeria. Not until the Boko Haram insurgency, the state was recognised and appreciated for its rich culture, uniqueness, friendly atmosphere and above all, religious impacts. The effort of the Buhari-led government has however brought peace to the state – not until this recent attack.
Recently, some suicide bombers hit the city leaving many people homeless and lifeless. This incident occurred at the early hours of the morning at about 1am on the 15th March, 2017. An eye witness (name withheld) confirmed that the incident happened in Muna garage. He also said that they were four suicide bombers; all female teenagers.
Boko Haram’s armed insurgency, which began in 2009, has killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people. This God loving state had witnessed many suicide bombing attacks in the recent times. In March 2015, a suicide bomber blew himself up on a cycle so that people around him would die. Also, early this year, in the month of January, there was another case where many people were killed and some injured. On the 25th October, 2015, a female suicide bomber blew herself up in Maiduguri, killing three people and injuring many others. The incident in the Dala Yazaram area of the city happened a day after at least 55 people were killed in attacks in the northeast. Two female suicide bombers were seen in the neighbourhood of Dala Yazaram, some six kilometres (four miles) from the city but one of them was stopped by people nearby while the other blew herself up leaving some people lifeless and homeless. Maiduguri cries out for help as suicide bombing attacks have become the order of the day. According to our correspondence, the most recent attack has claimed about 20 corpses with several people injured.
Some Nigerians believed that the insurgents are the Chibok girls who were kidnapped some time ago while some accused the government for being negligent about the issue. About 80% of the attacks were carried out by female teenage girls which could possibly be traced to the story of the Chibok girls. Records have shown that the insurgents die after these operations which reassure that they were being forced and manipulated to partake in such action. Some Nigerians also believed that it is a religious conflict, but come to think of it, many Muslims and Christians die in these attacks.
“These killings have to stop for peace and happiness to reign! Just hoping this voice counts,” an eye witness of the attack lamented.
The government of the Rederal Republic of Nigeria is trying so hard to put an end to this act. Their pressured effort led to the current recovery of some Chibok girls from the kidnappers and also awaiting more release. The government is under an unrevealed strategy with the help of some international policy making bodies to put an end to this mystery. The Nigerian government has effectively equipped the Nigeria Military service in order to ensure a Boko Harram free nation. The president has successfully rescued about 101 children and 67 women from this insurgents but Nigerians still hope for a better and stronger secured nation. Peace is obviously gradually returning to the region.