Curfew imposed on Adamawa, two days to Jonathan’s visit

The Adamawa State Government yesterday imposed a curfew on the state two days to President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state slated for tomorrow. The curfew, effective from 8p.m-6a.m, is to prevent any security breach in the troubled state before the visit of the president.

A statement, signed by Mr. P. P. Elisha Director of Public Affairs to Governor Bala James Nggilari, stated that based on the need to ensure effective security in the state within the period of the visit, government imposed the curfew. Continue...

Newswatch Times gathered that the action of the government may not be unconnected to the Boko Haram attack last Tuesday in border communities of Michika and Madagali, where scores of peoplewere feared killed.

According to a source, no fewer than seven villages were attacked with scores of people killed by the insurgents.

Mr Emmanuel Kwache, a resident of Michika who fled from the scene of the attack, said ontelephone that “over 30 people were mercilessly killed by Boko Haram. As I am talking to you, the insurgents are still there in Michika town; they didn’t spare anything, they slaughtered people like rams. They burnt our houses after looting foodstuff.

“No presence of troops; some residents are on top of hills, while those that could not run were abducted, particularly young people and women.”

Another fleeing resident of Garta also said his house and many others were razed down by the rampaging insurgents.

“They burnt down my house and mosques and looted footstuff; at least 12 people were killed. Government should come to our rescue by deploying troops,’’ he pleaded.

A member of Michika in the state’s House of Assembly, Mr Adamu Kamale, said though he was yet to get the exact casualty figure, but “the fleeing residents told me that for now over 40 people were killed; slaughtered like goats.

“It’s so sad; we reported the matter to the concerned authorities but all to no avail. The insurgents are moving freely in the area. We are calling on government to deploy troops,” he stressed.

He said Ghumci, Liddle, Garta, Shahu and Mbororo were among the affected communities in Michika Local Government Area,” adding that several other people, whose number cannot be ascertained yet were abducted.

A displaced resident, who simply identified himself as AbdulRahman Madagali, also confirmed that the insurgents killed several people and abducted many in Gulak and Madagali towns. “They also burnt our houses,” he said.

Also, secretary of the local hunters, Mr James Philip, lamented that for almost a week now the insurgents have been on rampage on communities around Michika and Madagali, but said troops and local hunters were on the top of the situation.

He said, “The troops also killed several insurgents. These boys operate as cells and don’t stay in Michika; they come from their hideout to attack whenever they want to and they normally come in their dozens to attack.”