There is ‘famine’, Chibok leaders cry out

Famine is threatening to consume the whole of Chibok community where 276 schoolgirls were abducted on April 14, 2014, chairman of the Kibaku Area Development Association, Dr Pogu Bitrus, revealed on Friday.

Speaking at a media briefing convened by leaders of the Chibok community, Pogu said that Chibok villagers no longer tend to their farms for fear attacks by Boko Haram; meanwhile, their food reserves are fast depleting.

He said the situation has been worsened by the influx of displaced persons from adjoining villages into Chibok.

“There is food scarcity at Chibok. The villagers are afraid of going to their farms, and some of the food they stored was carted away by Boko Haram. There is famine,” he specifically told TheCable.

“Other people from adjoining villages and local governments are also coming into Chibok, resulting in overcrowding. The situation is worsening.”

Pogu described military presence at Chibok as inadequate, saying only a platoon of soldiers, which is about 40 and is led by a captain, is stationed at the village.

“The villagers rely mostly on their vigilante groups for security,” he lamented.

Calling on the international community to intervene in the crisis, Pogu alleged that Boko Haram was targeting Chibok and environs for annihilation, considering the incessant attacks on the neighbouring villages.

“As a matter of urgency, we wish to alert the general public and the international community that after the attack on 4 villages of Kautikari, Nguradina, Kwada/Kaumutayahi and Kakulmari on Sunday June 29, which recorded 105 deaths, the residents of Kautikari have received what the Boko Haram sect termed ‘final notice’ to attack them again by advising residents to vacate the village or face total annihilation on their next attack, which has been promptly reported to the security agencies,” he said.

“In the same vein, Kaya town in Damboa Local Government Area, attacked yesterday, July 3, 2014, received a stern warning from the Boko Haram insurgents to vacate their town, given that they constitute an obstacle on their way to invading Chibok (Kibaku).

The community leaders urged the government to negotiate with Boko Haram to secure the safe release of the girls. They urged the government to station an army battalion at the village, in order to provide the necessary security to protect “the Chibok nation and its environs”.

The leaders further demanded the immediate establishment of a “rehabilitation centre at Chibok to address psychological, medical and traumatic effects of the abduction on the parents, escaped and yet-to-be rescued girls and the community”.