Faceoff between security
forces and gunmen in Borno and Yobe states has caused the death of
“hundreds”, a forum of elders said yesterday, urging both sides to
agree to a ceasefire so as to end the bloodshed.
“The killings run into hundreds, and
it seems the people are facing genocide,” said the statement, which was
titled ‘A Passionate Appeal for Restraint,’ and signed by former
minister Shettima Ali Monguno.
But the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno
State said there is no genocide in its activities and that it was
operating with “utmost respect to the constitution.”
The elders’ statement said, “Nobody
seems to care even as the fasting Muslims were killed, maimed, robbed,
or displaced. It is indeed pathetic and unfortunate that such a
situation will be allowed to happen to innocent Muslims. The blood of
the innocent flows and they are on their own.”
It added: “The plight of the thousands
of the victims of this crisis is horrendous. Thousands were displaced
and thousands others are fleeing their homes, even in this Holy month
of Ramadan.”
Yesterday’s call by the Borno elders
came in the wake of allegations by some residents of Maiduguri that
security forces were secretly burying corpses of civilians killed in
the crisis in mass graves because hospital mortuaries are overstretched.
There have also been killings of
civilians blamed on the Boko Haram sect itself, as well as criminal
activities apparently by people who are exploiting the situation to
engage in robberies.
“The Borno Elders Forum will not be
tired or frustrated and will continue to call on all sides to restrain
themselves. We are therefore calling on the aggrieved sect to respect
and honor this Holy month of Ramadan, lay down their arms, embrace
peace and dialogue, and as well consider retracing their steps back
into the society,” the statement said.
“They need to reflect on the
consequences of their actions on the larger society. They need to take
pity in the plight of their own people in their own land.
“We equally call on the JTF and all
security operatives to respect the rights of innocent Muslims. It is
their duty to protect all Nigerians. They also need to honor this Holy
month of Ramadan in which all Muslims observe fasting. Fasting Muslims
need help, need assistance, need care and not harassment and violence.
“In the spirit of this Holy month of
Ramadan we are calling for an immediate truce, an immediate cessation
of hostilities which would lead to a permanent solution.
“We are equally calling for the return
of the fleeing masses to their homes. We wish to request the JTF and
the government to quickly facilitate their return to enable them
celebrate the forthcoming Eid el-Fitr Sallah in their homes, happily
with their children.”
The JTF yesterday dismissed the
allegation of genocide by the elders’ forum. “There is nothing to
respond in the appeal by the Borno elders. In my understanding, it is
just a passionate appeal to concerned citizens to do what is right,”
spokesman Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa said.
“It is a move in the right direction
which is welcomed by the JTF. Be that as it may, let me reiterate that
there has never been a recorded or an established case of genocide
against the JTF in Maiduguri.
“We operate and will continue to
operate within the mandate and powers approved by appropriate superior
authority with utmost respect to the constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.”
‘Secret burials going on’
Residents of Kaleri, Gaidamari, Budun
and Bulabulin areas in Maiduguri alleged it is common to see corpses of
civilians immediately after confrontation between gunmen and JTF
operatives.
“Last week, I personally saw a tipper
loaded with dead bodies heading towards Baga road…it was very early in
the morning but I don’t know their destination,” a trader, who gave his
name as Muntari, told Daily Trust.
When our correspondents visited the
morgue of the State Specialists Hospital in Maiduguri on Wednesday, it
was found that the mortuary was filled up with corpses.
Mortuary attendants claimed they were
still receiving dead bodies, most of them being dropped by security
agencies without explanation.
A mortuary attendant who spoke on
condition of anonymity told our reporter that between Sunday and
Wednesday morning, 19 corpses were taken to the hospital from different
parts of the town.
“We are still receiving corpses but the
freezers inside the mortuary are filled up already and relatives are
yet to come for claim,” the attendant said.
“Right now, the 19 corpses which were
brought to the hospital are lying on the ground because the freezers
are already filled up.”
A bad odour was oozing out from the mortuary even though the power generating set was functioning.
Another source said the smell was from the decomposing corpses lying on ground inside the mortuary since on Sunday.
No hospital official was willing to
speak on the record yesterday on the number of dead bodies taken to the
mortuary in the last ten days.
Culled: Dailytrust
No comments:
Post a Comment