The whole area was cordoned off yesterday and when journalists manoeuvred their way to the scene of the gun duel through an obscure route, they found that the settlement was mostly deserted. A few women still in the area told reporters that soldiers had killed at least 30 people, most of them heads of families.
One of the women, Zara’u Musa, said, “Soon after a bomb blast at night on Sunday, the military came in trucks and launched a house-to-house search. In the process, they killed many husbands and forced women and children out of their houses before setting the houses ablaze.”
Among those said to have been killed by the soldiers was one Adamu Abdullahi, an employee of the University of Maiduguri Staff School. A female neighbour of his said, “Adamu was not a member of the Boko Haram but his house was also set ablaze. It was about the time he was coming back from work and when he saw what was happening, he attempted going back in his Honda Accord car when the crisis caught up with him. He was shot and killed and the car was set ablaze.”
A senior officer in Unimaid’s Information and Protocol unit said the late Adamu was an employee of the university. “He was a teacher in the staff school and we are really sad regarding what happened to him. He was hard working and easy going,” the officer said.
But the JTF said in a statement yesterday that 11 people were killed at Kaleri and that all of them were members of the Boko Haram sect, while two soldiers were injured. The army said some houses were burnt during the attack when an explosive kept by Boko Haram members in a house exploded.
The statement, signed by Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, said “The Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order in Borno State wishes to once again draw the attention of the general public to the danger of allowing residential and business premises to be used by members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect as was experienced in London Ciki (Kaleri) yesterday.
“At about 7.30pm, a patrol team of the JTF was attacked at Kaleri in London Ciki area of Maiduguri metropolis with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and several gunshots from a bus parked at a building.
“The attack was successfully repelled by members of the JTF and 11 members of the sect killed while 2 members of the JTF were injured. Some buildings and vehicles were however destroyed by the IED.
“The JTF is aware that some members of the general public have prior information on attacks on security agencies and willingly allow their premises to be used for such acts without reporting to the security agencies. The public is again reminded of the implication of such collaboration as it will be dealt with appropriately.”
Hundreds of women and children were seen fleeing the area yesterday. At Gomari Costain, a neighbouring settlement, one Malam Ya’u said he miraculously escaped from Kaleri.
He said, “Most of my neighbours are dead…It is the mercy of God that brought me here around 4am after I hid in an uncompleted building for more than 9 hours.”
He added, “The Boko Haram people are actually planting bombs to attack specific targets but the soldiers are shooting at everyone they see. We are really in trouble here and we want government to help us.”
At about 12.30pm yesterday, smoke was still billowing from some houses at Kaleri while blood stains were seen on the roads, culverts and other places.
Reporters were also threatened when their presence was noticed by gun wielding, fierce looking security operatives. “Stop, stop there and raise up your hands,” two soldiers shouted when they came closer with their guns pointed at the pressmen. They directed them to leave immediately after forced them to put their cameras in their pocket.
Residents said unless urgent steps are taken, many lives would be lost as the JTF kept on pressing further in their search of the Boko Haram sect members.
Mrs. Talatu, a housewife in the area, said, “Our expectation was that the coming of the military will solve the problem but it appears the whole thing is taking a new dimension, far from what you can imagine. As far as we are concerned, they (military) should go.” She alleged that two of her neighbours, Mamman Kursha and Baban Laraba were killed during the siege. “I swear to God they are not members of the Boko Haram,” she said.
Inusa Mohammed, a school teacher in the area said many people have been arrested but the JTF did not confirm the number of people that are now in their custody.
Its Commander Major General Jack Nwaogbo had repeatedly complained that members of the public were not cooperating with security agencies towards addressing the increasing insecurity in Borno State.
The JTF, which was hitherto under the state government, was taken over by the federal government about three weeks ago.
On Thursday last week, Governor Kashim Shettima, following a recommendation by the state Security Council banned private and commercial motorcycles from plying the roads in Maiduguri and Jere local government areas.
Following widespread allegations that traditional rulers are playing vital role in the arbitrary arrest of “innocent people”, the Shehu of Borno and chairman of the state council of chiefs issued a statement yesterday debunking the claims.
The Shehu said he has never ordered for the arrest of anybody but has been encouraging the people to be law abiding.
A bomb was also planted along the route of the JTF vehicles around 10am yesterday but it did not injure anybody when it exploded.
Colonel Ebhaleme who confirmed the explosion said “an IED targeted at patrol vehicles of JTF this morning exploded around Ramat Square. Some of the items used have been recovered by the JTF and investigation is ongoing. However, no casualty was recorded.
“The JTF wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to restoring order in the state and urges law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses,” he said.
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