The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bama

  • Gov. Zulum bans sale of petrol in Bama

    Gov. Zulum bans sale of petrol in Bama

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in filling stations across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki.

    The directive followed consultations with security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to address security challenges in the area.

    Malam Dauda Iliya, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    “I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Zulum said.

    He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full wrath of the law.

    “Let me make it clear, there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. 

    ”Security agencies have been given strict orders to clamp down on any filling station or individual contravening this directive. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

    Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state and called for the support and cooperation of residents in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

    The governor has consistently implemented measures aimed at cutting off supplies to insurgents and curbing their mobility in conflict-affected areas.

    (NAN)

  • Borno: 33 children die in IDP camp in 13-days

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a non-governmental organisation, has said said 33 children have died in a Borno State Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp between 2 and 15 August.

    MSF in a report released on Friday said since April 2018, more than 10,000 people have arrived in a Bama camp, with many in poor health.

    According to the report, a critical humanitarian situation is unfolding in the camp as the Bama Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) camp intended for a maximum of 25,000 people has reached capacity at the end of July.

    “Lack of adequate assistance, including access to shelter and healthcare, is having severe consequences for young children arriving in the town. MSF calls on authorities to urgently provide adequate assistance for the population, before the situation deteriorates further”.

    “Since April 2018, more than 10,000 people have arrived in the Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) camp in the town; many are in poor health. Newly displaced people reported fleeing areas where they were unable to sustain their livelihoods, while others reported fleeing areas where the Nigerian armed forces are conducting military operations against armed groups.

    “In the GSSS camp, shelter and healthcare assistance has not kept pace with the growing population and people continue to arrive every day with not enough shelters for everyone”.

    Katja Lorenz, MSF’s representative in Abuja was quoted in the report to have said over 6,000 people currently sleep in the open with no protection from the heat, rains and mosquitoes.

    ICYMI: Ganduje gives scholarship to 100 Borno orphans

    “People do not even have basic utensils to cook their dry food rations, and water is not available in adequate quantities to meet the minimum needs. A lot of children are already in a critical state upon arrival, and poor assistance and access to healthcare further deteriorates their condition” she said.

    “Between 2 and 15 August, MSF teams reported that 33 young children had died in the camp. This figure is alarmingly high in relation to the total number of children under five years old, which is estimated to be around 6,000”.

    The organisation also said non-availability of medical facilities is hampering the treatment of sick children.

    Lorenz further said despite the presence of government agencies and international humanitarian organisations in Bama, the health and nutrition situation has been allowed to deteriorate up to the current crisis point.

    “Many children are severely malnourished and suffer from medical complications – they urgently need intensive care and close medical follow-up, as the current rainy season typically sees a spike in the number of patients with malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. The lack of an inpatient nutrition and paediatric health facility in Bama is having catastrophic consequences for children”.

    “At present, the only hospital in Bama, the Bama General Hospital, is not functional. Seriously ill children have to travel to Maiduguri for further treatment. However, many people in Bama cannot afford to pay for private transport to take them to the state capital. And even if they can, inpatient nutritional centres are overwhelmed. While setting up an inpatient facility in Bama, between 1 and 12 August MSF had to refer 26 patients to its own paediatric hospital in Maiduguri”.

    “Measures must be urgently taken to avoid overcrowding and ensure dignified living conditions in the GSSS camp. Secondary and emergency healthcare for both IDPs and the resident population must be scaled up as quickly as possible”.

    “On 16 August, MSF launched inpatient services for severely malnourished children under five years old, as well as paediatric care for patients under 15 with severe malaria and other diseases, in a facility with a capacity of 30 beds”.

    “This is only a short-term response to the critical humanitarian situation in Bama, until the level of assistance is scaled up. MSF is calling on authorities to urgently address humanitarian needs before the situation deteriorates further”.

     

  • Northeast needs food intervention for 3m IDPs – UN

    The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) says an estimated three million displaced persons face critical food and nutrition insecurity in the northeast.

    OCHA, in its humanitarian situation report for the month of June, said no fewer than 1.7 million persons were displaced by the conflict in the region in the past nine years.

    According to the fact sheet, the number of people estimated to be facing critical food and nutrition insecurity is projected at three million, following recent assessments exercise in the area.

    It said that humanitarian actors and partners were carrying out a re-targeting exercise in Borno and Yobe to ensure that the most vulnerable people receive food assistance.

    OCHA also said: “Large-scale displacements continue to take place weekly; in the past seven months, since hostilities intensified in the northeast, more than 130,000 people have been displaced.

    “In May alone; 21, 207 people arrived in various locations. Bama, Ngala, Gwoza, Dikwa and Biu recorded the highest number of new arrivals.

    “These movements present major humanitarian challenges as resources are already overstretched in the locations where these civilians arrived.

    “Given that military operations have been announced to continue throughout the 2018 rainy season, displacement trend is likely to continue until end of August.’’

    To cope with the situation, the UN agency disclosed that it had adopted a contingency response plan for the expected high level displacement due to military operations.

    It explained that the plan aimed to provide life-saving assistance to about 115,000 IDPs, expected to move from hard-to-reach areas to key towns in Mobbar, Kukawa, Monguno, Ngala, Kala Balge, Dikwa, Bama, and Gwoza local government councils of Borno.

    “About 41.7million dollars is urgently needed to ensure sufficient preparedness and response activities to facilitate life-saving assistance for the new arrivals.

    “These include shelter and non-food items; health care, food, water and sanitation, protection and nutrition,” it said.

    The organisation revealed that it had initiated resource mobilisation efforts for the Rainy Season Contingency Plan, to support 463,000 vulnerable persons in extreme weather localities such as Bama, Damasak and Rann.

    OCHA noted that it had already commenced distribution of life-saving items including food, seeds, medicines, emergency shelter, non-food items and hygiene kits.

    The UN humanitarian body expressed satisfaction with effective response to control cholera outbreak in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, recorded between February and May.

    It lauded the timely response of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme and government to control the disease, adding that surveillance, monitoring and hygiene promotion activities were ongoing in the affected areas.

    The document further showed that the agency had set up five humanitarian hubs in Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Ngala and Dikwa while additional four others would be established in Banki, Damasak, Monguno and Rann liberated communities.

    OCHA explained that the hubs were designed with safe accommodation and internet connectivity, to enhance aid workers’ presence in the field and stimulate effective response.

    “Following an early recovery perspective, the maiden Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilisation, Peace Building and Sustainable Development was held in Maiduguri between May 7 and 8.

    “The aim was to promote continuous dialogue to strengthen coordination and collaboration on cross-border initiatives at the sub-national level around the Lake Chad Basin.

    “In preparation for the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview, data collection for a multi-sector needs assessment will be launched by mid-June in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, while data analysis is expected to start in July.’’

    The organisation noted, however, that despite the generosity of donors, humanitarian response in the northeast was hampered by lack of fund for the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

    “As at May 31, only 39.7 per cent of the $416.4 million total funds needed have been received, according to the funding levels reported on the Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

    “For the response to be sustainable and to avoid interruption in life-saving services, it is crucial that additional funding is urgently received across all sectors,’’ OCHA stated.

  • The Bama rebirth

    In May, it would be exactly five years that Bama, a major commercial town in Borno State, came under its first major attack by the Boko Haram insurgents. Subsequent well-orchestrated invasions in February and June 2014 left the town prostrate that upon what seemed like a final onslaught in September 2014, Bama town, which is the capital of the Bama Local Government area of Borno State fell to the Boko Haram militants. It was not to enjoy a breather until March 2015 when the Nigerian Army announced that it had liberated it.

    Bama, as well as Dikwa, Magdali, Gwoza were among the toughest battle zones of the terror war. But Bama, which is barely about 60 km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, may have suffered the most devastation.

    There are gory tales of about 50 policemen killed in one attack and yet another of about 100 mainly elderly people who could not escape being rounded up in a school dormitory and shot. For more than two years when it was under the control of Boko Haram, settlements and markets were reportedly razed and communication equipment damaged.

    Bama was almost entirely shutdown and the displacement of the people- indigenes and settlers -was almost total. Since then, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) arising from the Bama apocalypse had turned out to be another phase of the war proving even more ruinous than the gun duels.

    Government was suddenly confronted with nearly one million IDP’s needing shelter, clothing, food, medication and other basic necessities of life. For instance, over a period of about five years, many died of malnutrition and epidemics of common diseases. The process of rebuilding Bama and replacing basic amenities in order to rehabilitate the internal refugees has expectedly, been daunting.

    This is why we felicitate with an elated Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima who recently announced a move to commence the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced Bama people.

    He had temporarily moved the seat of government to Bama, he announced gaily. Speaking to reporters, Shettima said, “The people of Bama will return in phases starting with ward and village heads; while the Shehu will be the last person to return. We did so in order for the Shehu to monitor the return of his subjects. We have distributed bio-data forms to capture all the returnees…”

    The Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Prof. Babagana Umara noted that about 11,630 houses have been renovated. Others are eight primary schools, eight bore holes, general hospital and 1800 shops and markets.

    While we commend Governor Shettima for the immense zeal and commitment he brought to bear on this onerous project, we call for extreme caution and circumspection in this phase of the job. We aver that the process of orderly relocation of this large number is almost as tasking as building the structures.

    Again, the devastating suicide bomb attacks on the capital city of Maduguri on Easter Sunday which killed 25 and injured about 800 must serve as a sad wake-up call for all involved to be a bit more wary. Apart from re-enacting as much stress-free movement as possible, security must be considered to be of priority importance.

    Bama is only about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, a distance equivalent to Lagos to Sagamu. If the insurgents could consistently hit the much garrisoned state capital, it stands to reason that Bama remains a target of attack.

    While we urge that efforts must be doubled to return other IDPs in all parts of the country back to their natural homesteads, it must be noted that a lot more needs to be done to completely win the war against terror in the north east.

    We urge the federal government as well as the military and intelligence hierarchy to intensify efforts to find the core financiers and masterminds of the insurgency and punish them. Intelligence and technology must be deployed to infiltrate the sect and neutralize them. A variant of the whistle-blower concept may also be introduced here.

    Equally important is the need to revive the economy of the hinterland by getting the LGAs working once again. Thriving rural administrations will in turn quickly reduce the acute poverty prevalent in the northeast.

    Government must also give more incentives to children to go to school as well as create youth programmes and sports activities to engage young people.

    Properly managed, the rebirth of Bama would serve as a touchstone and a model for managing IDPs in other parts of the country. It must be noted that until all the displaced persons are returned to their respective homes, the war against Boko Haram has not quite ended.

  • Boko Haram: Troops kill 1, repell Borno attack

    Boko Haram: Troops kill 1, repell Borno attack

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said it had killed one Boko Haram member after repelling an attack by the insurgents at Bocos village in Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.

    Lt. Col. Kingsley Samuel, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    Samuel explained that troops ambushed a group of the insurgents while trying to cross Banki Junction along Bama road on Friday.

    He said that the troops killed one insurgent and many others escaped with gun shots, adding that a number of items including foodstuff were recovered from them.

    Samuel disclosed that the troops also repelled another attack by the insurgents at a security outpost in Bama general area.

    He added that one police officer and a female displaced person were killed in the attack.

    “The Nigerian Army Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE at about 6:00 pm on Friday, 29th September 2017 laid ambush on Boko Haram terrorists crossing Bocobs village along Banki Junction, Bama Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops sprang on the unsuspecting terrorists and neutralized one of them while several others escaped with gun shots wounds.

    ”The troops recovered several items including three bicycles, five Jerry cans and two bags of maize.

    “On the same day at about 7: 00 p.m. troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade successfully repelled insurgents attack on an outpost within Bama general area.

    “Unfortunately a police personnel was killed in action while a female Internally Displaced Person (IDP) was hit by a stray bullet,” Samuel said.

    According to him, the Commander of 21 Brigade on Saturday visited the scenes of the attack, attended the burial of the deceased IDP and commiserated with the IDP community.

  • Boko Haram lunches fresh attack on Bama

    Boko Haram lunches fresh attack on Bama

    …set military base ablaze, kill one mopol

     

     

    Barely one week after some Internally Displaced People from Bama staged a protest to return to their town but were prevented by security agents, Boko Haram insurgents Saturday lunched a fresh attack on ancient city.

    An impeccable security source told our correspondent that the insurgents came in the evening of Friday and lunched a dastardly attack on a Military/Nigeria Police Force joint guard location in the town.

    The source disclosed that a police sergeant was killed as the base was set ablaze by the daring insurgents. The source also added that the insurgents took away an AK47 rifle.

    Details of the casualty from the military source is yet to be ascertained.

    The Nation recalls that Bama is one of the town that was worse hit by the Boko Haram insurgents. It was also one of the towns in Borno State that was completely taken over by the insurgents by it was liberated in 2015.

  • Police arrest IDPs over protest in Maiduguri

    Police arrest IDPs over protest in Maiduguri

    The Borno State Police Command have arested many IDPs in connection with the yesterday botched protest to return back to their ancestral home after more than three years of exile from Boko Haram crisis.

    The Nation reports that some displaced people from Bama in the early hours of Sunday staged a protest at the welcome to Maiduguri, Bama/Maiduguri high way  close to unversity of Maiduguri gate II to push foward their resolve to return to Bama where they have been displaced by the Boko Haram crisis for more than three years.

    The protest which was coordinated by Bama Initiative for Human Development, led by their  their  Chairman, Alhaji muhammad Hassan, said they are not satisfied with the snail process of returning them home hence the need for them to embark on the journey to go back “even if it means by trekking to Bama” .

    He noted that  70 per cent of the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects hadģ been completed in the area, saying that they were tired of living as displaced persons. “We are in Maiduguri for more than three years without meaningful means of livelihoods. The condition of our people is pathetic. The elongation in the process of returning displaced persons to their homes is moving at a snail pace and exposed them to unbearable conditions. “We could no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” Hassan stated.

    Mr Damian Chukwu, the Police Commissioner in the state, said that the group had not notified the command over their planned return to Bama. He advised the IDPs to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders over their demand so that adequate preparations would be made. “The police have a duty to protect you and we will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.

    “Also, there is massive reconstruction and rehabilitation works going on in the town, executed by the Federal and State Government under the Bama Initiative. We will not allow you to go because of your safety, you better go back and wait for the time when government will permit your return to the town,” he said.

    Our correspondent gathered that despite the effort of the police Commissioner and his advice to the protesters,  some of them refused to listen to the plea and rather turned riotous  giving the police no option but to arrest them.

    A police source confirm to our correspondent in Maiduguri that a good number of the protesters including the leadership are in police custody and they would be prosecuted. “I cannot believe that despite the subtle approach and caution by the CP to these people, some of them went riotous and we were left with no choice but to arrest them. It is the duty of the police to protect lives and property at the same time maintain law and order,” the source informed.

    Meanwhile, there is a papable apprehension in the air for a possible of more protest from IDPs within Maiduguri metropolis as the news of the arrest continues to spread among the camps.

    In the spirit of reconciliation, Borno State Government called on the protesting IDPs to be patient and give his government more time to actualize their return.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima who spoke through his  Special Adviser on  Communication and Strategy said government is nothe in any way holding back the return of IDPs as they are rather economic burden to the state.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen economic burden of supporting them as displaced persons.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is the safe and dignified return of all IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants the IDPs to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “Gov. Shettima is consistently committed to the ongoing rebuilding of private homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and other essential services in communities across 15 local government areas of the state,’’ Gusau  said.

    Gusau further  explained that government had constructed 20,000 housing units in Bama and provided modern health facilities, schools and police stations in the area. He added that the Federal Government was currently training a special Anti-Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to be deployed to the town under the Bama Initiative.

    According to him,   the special squad and the agro-rangers, specifically trained to secure farmers in their farmlands would replace the military.

    “We have to ensure that there is full return of civil security before IDPs can return. “The governor encourages safe and dignified return only after putting the right things in place,” Gusau said.

    He disclosed that the state government had re-built houses and re-settled displaced persons in parts of Kaga, Konduga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of the state. Newsmen report that thousands of persons were forced to flee their homes when the Boko Haram insurgents sacked Bama town in 2014. Hundreds of people were killed, maimed or abducted while the entire structures in the town were razed by the insurgents.

  • IDPs cannot return to Bama before Ramadan – Shettima

    IDPs cannot return to Bama before Ramadan – Shettima

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno has said that returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Bama Local Government Area before Ramadan is no longer feasible because of current military operations in Sambisa Forest.

    Shettima had promised to return IDPs to liberated communities by 29, May.

    However on Tuesday, the governor announced a change of plan when he inaugurated 12 public infrastructure rebuilt by Borno Government in Bama with N360 million provided by the Victims Support Fund (VSF).
    The fund, established in 2014 with public donations, has retired Lt.-Gen.  Theophilus .Y Danjuma as Chairman.

    The governor said: “Our goal was for our people to be able to return to Bama before this Ramadan.

    ‘’Unfortunately, this is not feasible because the military is still carrying out operations in some areas around the Sambisa as part of mop up exercise in the yet to be concluded fight against Boko Haram.

    “We will continue to work with security agencies to review situations. Our number one priority is the security and safety of our people.

    “We will not allow any IDP return to any community that has not regained 100 per cent safety.

    “When IDP’S return to communities, they will still need to go to their farms, markets and to travel for economic and social purposes.

    “We must be sure that farms are safe and routes are safe before we allow our people to return. But even while we do the reviews, we will continue with our aggressive reconstruction works.’’
    He added: “We will not wait till eternity.

    ‘’We are very optimistic that very soon, the entire Borno will be safe enough for full habitation. We look forward to Borno reclaiming peace, security and progress.”

    Shettima said the government was laying emphasis on Bama but paying attention to all parts of the state.

    ”For the purpose of setting records straight, I think I should use this opportunity to once again explain that  our focus is on all parts of Borno not just on Bama.

    “Our reconstruction works actually started in northern Borno where we rebuilt numerous public and private infrastructures in Kaga Local Government Area.

    “We are currently working in 14 local government areas but there is special emphasis on Bama, Mobbar and Gwoza.’’

    He said Bama was getting the highest attention because it was adjudged the worst hit by the insurgency in the Northeast.

    He said the Post Insurgency Recovery and Peace Building Assessment conducted on the Northeast by the World Bank, the European Union, the Presidency and State Government in the northeast indicated so.

    “More than 80 per cent of public and private infrastructures were destroyed by Boko Haram during their occupation.

    “The Boko Haram as we all know, also occupied Gwoza but they did not destroy Gwoza as much as they destroyed Bama.

    “So, our idea of facing Bama is to confront the most difficult challenge in a bold manner so that our task becomes less.’’

    Shettima said next to Bama in terms of massive destruction was Mobbar.

    ‘’We are currently working in Mobbar. We have deployed so much resources so that we also confront the rebuilding challenge” he said.
    In his remarks, Danjuma, represented by Vice- Chairman of VSF, Tijjani Tumsah, said the fund decided to intervene in Bama because it was impressed by the efforts of the Borno Government.

    He said while the fund provided N250 million for the reconstruction of 24 projects in Dikwa last year, the state government used the fund to rebuild not only the 24 projects but added 16 others.

     

  • North-East: Reps decry N60m grass-cutting proposal

    North-East: Reps decry N60m grass-cutting proposal

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday decried the N60 million provided by the Presidential Committee on North-East  Initiative (PCNI) in the 2017 Budget for weeding in communities ravaged by the insurgency.

    The amount is for contracts to “cut shrubs, grasses and trees” along Maiduguri-Bama road.

    The house’s Committee on Internally Displaced Persons picked out the figure when the PCNI appeared before it to defend its N45 billion budget for humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced villagers.

    Chairman of the committee, Rep. Sani Zoro and other members expressed displeasure over the provision.

    “You cannot travel this same way, awarding contracts on grasses again; it is not acceptable. Why can’t you assign this duty to the military to do it for you?

    “They can use their personnel to clear the grasses and you can drop this idea of awarding contracts with N60 million.

    “Your duty, from what we understand, is to provide succour for the displaced persons.

    “These people are traumatised and they need urgent basic amenities as they return home. Rehabilitation has to do with their survival as human beings first,’’ Zoro said.

    He challenged the PCNI to furnish the committee with its mandate, saying “You have N184 million for the screening programme for humanitarian activities, what does that mean?

    “There is N150 million on advocacy and early warning system and N165 million for conflict management.

    “You are going to deliver security equipment for N200 million. What type of security equipment? Then another N2.5 billion for security outfits.

    “Are you telling us that part of your role is to fund the operations of the military in the North-East? The military has its own budget already.

    “Why are you not talking about food, shelter, medical care and schools for these IDPs?’’

    A member of the committee, Rep. Adamu Kamale (PDP-Adamawa) said that the N45 billion budgeted for the North-East was inadequate, but decried the provision of N8.4 billion out of the money for military operations.

    Kamale argued that there was no justification for the proposal for the military in the budget.

    “PCNI is not a military agency. This N8.4 billion should be converted to the rehabilitation of burnt houses and schools.

    “I am an IDP, so I know where it pains. N5 billion out of the money can rehabilitate up to 50 per cent of the houses.

    “Again, you are just duplicating so many things in this budget. Our people back home will not forgive us if we pass this budget like this,” he said.

    Another member, Rep. Istifanus-Dung Gyang (PDP-Plateau) informed the committee that the Federal Government’s total commitment to the North-East in 2017 was “over N800 billion.”

    Gyang explained that the money was domiciled in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government for the purpose of developing the region.

    “So, your role as PCNI is recovery. You come in after the military have completed their own role and they have their budget”, he said.

    However, the Vice-Chairman of the PCNI, Mr Tijjani Tumsah, explained that the budget was planned after due consultation with the military.

    He said that rehabilitation was the key responsibility of the PCNI as it could not be achieved if security aspect was left out.

    Tumsah said that the government would not take the risk of returning the IDPs to their villages without adequate security cover.

    “The IDPs are in camps in locations where they are safe; so, returning them home means that there is security for them.

    “Security remains a major issue in rehabilitation. There are mines everywhere. The military will have to go in there to remove them,” he added

  • Boko Haram: GOC refutes mutiny among soldiers

    The Nigerian Army on Friday dismissed speculations that soldiers of 21 Brigade in Bama shot indiscriminately and turned against their officers.

    Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezegwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the army, denied the report in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    “I want to assure that nothing like mutiny happened in Bama. Nothing happen. I just came back from Bama and nothing like that happened,” Ezegwu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some online publications had reported that there was a complete breakdown of order and discipline at the 21 Brigade in Bama where soldiers complained of mistreatment and began to shoot indiscriminately. (NAN)