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Tag: Michika

  • The moves to remake Michika

    The moves to remake Michika

    Hope is high now for a better Michika LGA after the launch of a plan to revive the once thriving community that took a distressing turn, especially after the Boko Haram invasion of 2014 reports ONIMISI ALAO, YOLA

    Michika Local Government Area which lies in the northern part of Adamawa State is one of the biggest and most populous LGAs, but it is today one of the most disadvantaged of Adamawa’s 21 LGAs.

    This has been so especially since 2014 when it became one of the seven LGAs in the state that fell into the control of Boko Haram insurgents.

    By January 2015 when the Nigerian military liberated the LGA, many houses, business premises and other valuable social and economic assets had been wasted by the insurgents, and today, 10 years after, the physical scares remain for the eyes of even cursory visitors to see.

    This background fits the LGA to moves now being made, moves that started in 2023 and have now manifested by way of a carefully designed plan.

    This past Wednesday, March 12, 2025, German Government’s international development organ, GIZ, collaborating with sister international nongovernment organisation, Oxfam Nigeria and other such development bodies, launched a jointly developed socio-economic development plan for the people of Michika LGA.

    The Michika LGA Community Development Plan (CDP) and accompanying Costed Action Plan (CAP) for Implementation were drawn up after a process akin to a needs assessment articulated by the residents as mobilized by the implementing partners across the Michika’s 12 wards for the purpose of developing the LGA.

    The focus of the development plan is on agriculture and food security, health, education, water and sanitation, conflict and security, gender, among other sectors.

    In his address welcoming guests to the March 12 launch of the Michika LGA CDP and Costed Action Plan (CAP), the Country Director, GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Markus Wagner who spoke through GIZ’s head of Governance Component, Mrs Bolaji Aina, said the Community Development Plan for Michika LGA was meant to build the resilience of the people, get them to actively participate in governance and development efforts, and generally empower them to live better life.

    In the opening remark of the event, Jumai Momoh of Oxfam Nigeria who spoke on behalf of Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, said Oxfam had been privileged to be funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) to work with GIZ on the Michika Development Plan which provides for inclusive and participatory governance.

    She said the CDP and the CAP that comes with it are designed as a complete guide for the Michika local council and other authorities that would be involved in due course in actions to bring development to the LGA.

    The Chairman of Adamawa State Planning Commission, Dr Mary Paninga who delivered a goodwill message, said the state government appreciates that the people in the grassroots should through the CDP be involved in how they are governed and how they achieve development. 

    An overview of the CDC project in Michika, presented at the launch by Geraldyne Eziakile of GIZ, explained that the CDP program gives voice to the ordinary people, as individuals drawn from various strata of Michika had their inputs.

    She recalled that the program started with a workshop in Yola, followed by other workshops in both Yola and Michika, attended by stakeholders in the Michika project, all aimed at coming up with a workable people-centred plan. 

    He said she and other executors of the project went to all the 16 wards in Michika, interacted with thousands of residents, and collected all types of information. 

    “Nobody was left behind: youths, women, people with disability, religious and community leaders — every interest was represented,” she said, adding that the whole idea was to draw up a plan that encourages inclusive planning and participatory implementation.

    She disclosed that along the line, ward development support committees (WDSCs) were established, the 16 wards  having such committee of 25 members each.

    The overview of the accompanying Costed Action Plan, presented by Enoch Bamaiyi of the GIZ, indicated that the Michika CDP was motivated by a need to remedy the damage done by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said the plan is meant as a guide for everyone: government, NGOs, and politicians who may wish to do anything for Michika to be guided on the areas of need. 

    The immediate past and then incumbent chairmen of the Michika Local Government as well as leaders of the various ward development support committees attested to the importance of the Michika CDP, indicating that some of the outlined projects in the five-year plan had either been implemented or being implemented ahead of the official launch.

    They mentioned some of such projects across the LGA as construction of  two major roads in Michika town by the state government, and rehabilitation of some roads and culverts, as well as provision of seats in some schools, sponsoring of skills training for some youths, among other projects by either the Michika Local Government or the ward development support committees.

    In an interview on the side of the March 12 launch of the Michika CDP and CAP, the immediate past chairman of Michika,  Amos Drambi under whom the development of the plan started in 2023, said the Michika LGA Community Development Plan is a document prepared through extensive consultation across a broad spectrum of stakeholders in all Michika’s 16 wards, and contains the priority community development needs of the people of Michika. 

    His successor, the incumbent chairman, Danbiyu Tumba, explained that the Michika CDP is a five-year road map designed to help the LGA achieve its goal of facilitating rapid socio-economic development and improving the livelihood of the citizens.

    The CDP document which was presented at the launch explained that  CDP sessions organized in 2023 at each ward at the initial stage to gather inputs, involved different categories of people from the 16 wards.

    The participants, the document specifies, comprised traditional, religious and political leaders, men and women of various age groups, artisans, persons living with disability, internally displaced people, host communities and returnees, all of who came together to plan for the development of the different wards of the LGA.

    According to the document, “During the CDP sessions, the people mentioned development challenges as high cost of modern farming inputs, inadequate extension workers, clashes between farmers and herders, high unemployment rate, lack of skills acquisition centres, poor GSM network, poor access roads, inadequate access to credit facilities for starting or expanding businesses, inadequate teachers at both primary and secondary schools, early marriage and depriving of girls from inheritance, lack of social safety nets for the elderly and the poor, among others.

    Solutions to the challenges, the document assured, have been duly canvassed in the CDP.

    On its own, the Five-year Costed Action Plan document which was presented along with the main CDP document during the March 12 launch, offered the explanation that the CDP sessions across the 16 wards that closely identified needs and suggested solutions also volunteered estimated cost package to implement the solutions. 

    Michika LGA has a population of 239,400 inhabitants, as projected for the year 2022. The administrative headquarters, Michika town, is rated as the third biggest in Adamawa State after the capital Yola, and the state’s international commercial nerve centre, Mubi.

  • Boko Haram: Michika elders request for more troops, armoured tanks

    Community leaders in Michika, Adamawa State have  appealed to the Nigerian Army to deploy more troops and armoured tanks to the town to enhance security.

    The appeal followed  Monday’s  attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the only commercial bank building in the town on a robbery mission but were repelled by the army.

    Some of the leaders made the appeal yesterday during an operational visit to the town by Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the acting General Officer Commanding,7 Division of the army, and Commander Sector 1.

    Muhammed Usman, an elder and Head of Muslim Community in Michika, said the call was imperative to fast track and revamp socio-economic activities in the community.

    He explained that additional checkpoints should be mounted in Kuburshosho Goni and Shuwa areas in the town to check future attacks.

    He also urged the army to furnish residents with means of reaching out to them when distressed, saying many locals heard the news of the Monday attack but were constrained to reach out to military authorities.

    He said: “sometimes we hear news of the movement of the insurgents just five kilometers away from the town but we don’t know how to communicate to army. There is the need for army to give us telephone numbers to call when distressed.”

    Mr Jidda Kwache, an elder and District Head of Michika, said that the deployment of more troops in the area would complement the efforts of the fighting troops on ground.

    Kwacha said that the last time the town witnessed any attack was in 2014, noting that the Monday attack left uncertainty in the minds of the people in the community.

    Yakubu Jaha-Michika, the Commander of Hunters in Michika, appealed to the Adamawa Government to deploy more security operatives to the area.

    Jaha-Michika said that the state government should arm and equip local hunters to help in providing local vigilance patrol.

    Reacting, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu said he was in the town to sympathise with the people on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He urged the community, traditional and religious leaders in the town to support the military’s effort to defeat Boko Haram and other undesirable elements.

    He said “security is everybody’s business and not for army alone, I, therefore, urge you to always provide prompt information on any suspicious activities.”

  • Boko Haram: We need more troops, armoured tanks, elders in Michika beg Army

    Community leaders in Michika, Adamawa, appealed to Nigerian Army to deploy more troops and armoured tanks to the town to enhance security.

    The appeal followed an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on March 18 on the only commercial bank building in the town on a robbery mission but were repelled by the army.

    Some of the leaders made the appeal during an operational visit to the town by Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the army, and Commander Sector 1 on Friday.

    Muhammed Usman, an elder and Head of Muslim Community in Michika, said the call was imperative to fast track and revamp socio-economic activities in the community.

    He explained that additional checkpoints should be mounted in Kuburshosho Goni and Shuwa areas in the town to check future attacks.

    He also urged the army to furnish residents with means of reaching out to them when distressed, saying many locals heard the news of the Monday attack but were constrained to reach out to military authorities.

    He said: “Sometimes we hear news of the movement of the insurgents just five kilometers away from the town but we dont know how to communicate to army. There is the need for army to give us telephone numbers to call when distressed.”

    Mr Jidda Kwache, an elder and District Head of Michika, said that the deployment of more troops in the area would

    complement the efforts of the fighting troops on ground.

    Kwacha said that the last time the town witnessed any attack was in 2014, noting that the Monday attack left uncertainty in the

    minds of the people in the community.

    He added that “we thank Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the army, and Commander

    Sector 1 for the visit to Michika to sympathise with us.

    “This visit is an indication of your firm commitment toward civic protection and restoring peace. You have restored our hopes and

    confidence to remain in our community.

    “We assure you of our total support and commitment to provide you with the neccesary support to discharge your duties.”

    Read Also: Nigerians blast Army over comments on Rivers election

    Alhaji Saidu Lawal, the District Head of Bazza, also commended the GOC and troops of the 143 battalion for responding to their

    calls to prevent the terrorist from causing havoc in the community.

    Lawal said “we need more soldiers to complement the efforts of those on ground. We also notice that the artillary and armoured

    tanks we use to have in 2014, are no more in Michika; we are appealing that those equipment be deployed again.

    “Initially, we thought the whole town will be overran by the insurgents but through the gallent efforts of your troops, the attack

    was repelled and for this, we want to say thank you.”

    Yakubu Jaha-Michika, the Commander of Hunters in Michika, appealed to the Adamawa Government to deploy more security operatives

    to the area.

    Jaha-Michika said that the state government should arm and equip local hunters to help in providing local vigilance patrol.

    The Caretacker Chairman of Michika Local Government Area, Bitrus Vandi, narrated his ordeal during the Monday attack, saying

    that the report came from Kofa, a naighbouring village.

    Vandi said that when he recieved the distress call of the impending attack, he quickly alerted the DPO and the troops commander in the town, who rushed to the scene to repel the attack.

    He added: “The insurgents stormed the town with gun trucks mounted with Anti-Air craft and motorcycle.”

    Reacting, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu said he was in the town to sympathise with the people on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He urged the community, traditional and religious leaders in the town to support the military’s effort to defeat Boko Haram and other undesirable elements.

    He said “security is everybody’s business and not for army alone, I, therefore, urge you to always provide prompt information on any suspicious

    activities.”

    He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army toward restoring peace and dignity of the people.

    Meanwhile, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited Michika, reports that nomalcy has returned to the town as people were seen going about their daily businesses.

  • Michika: Buratai hails troops for foiling Boko Haram attack

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has commended troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for displayed great valour in repelling Boko Haram insurgents’ attack in Michika, Adamawa.

    Buratai made the commendation during an operational visit to troops of 155 and 143 Task Force Battalion at Michika and Lassa.

    Buratai, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector I, Operation Lafiya Dole said the troops successfully repelled attempt by the insurgents to attack the community.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the insurgents on March 18 , attacked the only commercial bank building in the town and looted shops.

    He said that the troops displayed high sense of patriotism and gallantry in the defeat of the insurgents and prevented their robbery mission.

    “I am proud of you, The COAS is proud of you for your doggedness and commitment. We must also understand that this pure resilient, doggedness and focus must be upscale

    “We must be prepared to always put up strong offensive so that they don’t have any hiding place. The end of insurgents cannot come on it own, we must be all out and remain focused.

    “We have upscale our operations in all the Theatre and it is yielding many results. We have neutralised dozens of the terrorist and recovered many weapons in Northern Borno. There is no hiding place for the terrorist.

    “No longer remaining in defence position. How can you be in defence when the insurgents can bypass you. You must, therefore, locate them at all level and neutralised them.

    “We must always work together as formidable team and move aggressively to cut off their supply chain when we do that we will defeat them,”he said.

    The GOC therefore urged Commanders of the battalion to give purposeful leadership in other to achieve the desired goal of defeating Boko Haram.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), report that the GOC who was accompanied by Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Abubakar, Commander 25 Brigade of the Army and other principal staff officers of the Division, visited the bank were the incident happen.

    Abubakar who provided more details of the incident briefed the GOC that the insurgents stormed the town around 7:20 pm but met their Waterloo by combined efforts of troops who swiftly responded to distress calls.

    “Consequently, the gallant troops, with reinforcement from 143 Battalion Gulak, engaged the terrorists on Two Front Coordinated Attacks. The insurgents were completely routed by the troops, neutralising many of them while others fled in disarray due to superior firepower,”he said.

    The Brigade Commander added that the insurgents targeted the vault and the ATM machine but were not able to access into them.

    He added that four staff of the bank is access code to the vault were also targeted in their home by the insurgents but flew away.

    “We stationed our men throughout the night to make sure secure the bank facility and handed over to the Branch Manager,”he said. (NAN)

  • Five die in Boko Haram attack on Adamawa town

    THE Police in Adamawa State have confirmed that five residents of Michika died following an attack on a bank in the town on Monday night.

    Against earlier impression that the attack was the usual Boko Haram mission of causing a scare and destroying things and killing people and going away, the police command said the insurgents went purposely for a raid on the town’s only bank.

    The Nation gathered yesterday morning that the insurgents got into the town about 7pm on Monday after overpowering the military unit stationed there.

    Witnesses said the insurgents seized control of the town for a while, scaring hundreds of residents, who ran inside the surrounding bushes until soldiers arrived from Madagali after a reinforcement call.

    Michika lies in the northern part of Adamawa State, an immediate neighbour to Madagali Local Government Area, which was haunted by Boko Haram insurgents for weeks before the February 16 and March 9 general elections.

    During the Monday attack, the insurgents bombed the Union Bank branch – the only banking facility in the town.

    Sources said the insurgents also burnt houses in Koppa village as they fled towards Sambisa with soldiers and mobilised local hunters on their trail.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Othman Abubakar, who gave an update on the attack to The Nation, said: “Five people died and the place they went to attack, the Union Bank, was badly destroyed. But they were unable to gain access to the strong room. They couldn’t penetrate.”

    The PPRO said: “Their motive must have been to go and get money. That would be why they went directly to hit the bank. I was made to understand that money was moved to the bank  earlier that day. They must have monitored the bank and went purposely for the money.”

    He said the insurgents were, however, unable to get to the money, especially as soldiers and other security agents stormed the place and succeeded in forcing the insurgents off and seizing cars and motorcycles they used in entering the town.

    He said the five residents who died might have been victims of stray bullets as they ran helter-skelter or directly from the guns of the insurgents.

    “They must have died from crossfire and from the sporadic shootings by the insurgents,” Othman said.

    Some residents were not comfortable yesterday about returning to their homes immediately .

    A native of Michika, who lives in Yola, Felicia Jacob, said her mother was on her way to Yola “to rest after the horror of the deadly attack”.

    But, the Army said yesterday that the troops of 115 Task Force Battalion and 143 Battalion in a two Front coordinated attacks successfully repelled the Boko Haram terrorists, who attacked Michika.

    According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, with some of them fleeing with gunshot wounds.

    Colonel Musa said in a statement issued in Abuja that the terrorists attacked Michika late night on Monday, but were dealt with severely by troops who organised blocking positions against them.

    He said the terrorists also hurriedly made away with dead bodies of some of their fighters.

    Read also: What do politicians think at death’s door?

    Colonel Musa said: “Boko Haram terrorists met their waterloo and suffered heavy casualties yesterday evening, March 18 2019, when they attempted to infiltrate Michika in Adamawa State.

    “At about 7.20pm, gallant troops of 115 Task Force Battalion deployed at Lassa in Borno State received a distress call from vigilance group at Maikadiri village on movement of suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Maikadiri – Shuwari Road enroute Michika.

    “The troops immediately organised blocking positions and swooped on the terrorists, which  led to an exchange of fire. The terrorists attempted to escape, but were intercepted and suppressed with heavy volume of fire.

    “Consequently, the troops with reinforcement from 143 Battalion Gulak engaged the terrorists on two front coordinated attacks.

    “The BHTs were completely routed by the troops, neutralising many of them, while others fled in disarray due to superior firepower.”

  • Police confirm five dead in Boko Haram attack on Michika

    The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed that five residents of Michika died following an attack on a bank in the town on Monday night.

    Against earlier impression that the attack was the usual Boko Haram mission of causing a scare and destroying things and killing people and going away, the police command said that the insurgents, from all indications, went purposely for a raid on the town’s only bank.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Othman Abubakar, who gave an update on the attack to our correspondent Thursday afternoon, said, “Five people died and the place they went to attack, that’s Union Bank, was badly destroyed. But they were unable to gain access to the strong room. They couldn’t penetrate.”

    Explaining the command’s view that the insurgents had the sole purpose of carting money away, the PPRO said, “Their motive must have been to go and get money. That would be why they went directly to hit the bank. I was made to understand that money was moved to the bank earlier that day. They must have monitored the bank and went purposely for the money.”

    Read Also: Police kill four suspected robbers, injure three in Delta

    He said the insurgents were however unable to get to the money, especially as soldiers and other security agents stormed the place and succeeded in forcing the insurgents off and seizing cars and motorcycles they used in entering the town.

    He said the five residents who died might have been victims of stray bullets as they ran helter-skelter, or directly from the guns of the insurgents as they shot sporadically to scare people off.

    “They must have died from crossfire and from the sporadic shootings by the insurgents,” Othman said.

    The attack on the bank caused much dislocation within Michika, as hundreds were scared out of their houses into surrounding bushes and mountains, some apparently not comfortable about immediately returning to their homes.

    A native of Michika who lives in Yola, Felicia Jacob, said her mother was on her way to Yola, “to rest from the horror of the deadly attack.”

  • Adamawa: troops neutralise Boko Haram terrorists in Michika

    The Army said on Tuesday that troops of 115 Task Force Battalion and 143 Battalion in two front coordinated attacks have successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists in Michika, Adamawa State.

    According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, with some of them fleeing with gunshot wounds.

    Colonel Musa said in a statement issued in Abuja that the terrorists attacked Michika late night on Monday, but were dealt with severely by troops who organized blocking positions against them.

    He said the terrorists also hurriedly made away with dead bodies of some of their fighters.

    Colonel Musa said: “Boko Haram terrorists met their Waterloo and suffered heavy casualties yesterday evening the 18th of March 2019 when they attempted to infiltrate Michika in Adamawa State.

    Read Also: Boko Haram terrorists attack Adamawa community

    “At about 7.20 pm, gallant troops of 115 Task Force Battalion deployed at Lassa in Borno State received a distress call from vigilantes at Maikadiri village on movement of suspected Boko Haram terrorists along Road Maikadiri – Shuwari enroute Michika.

    “The troops immediately organized blocking positions and swooped on the terrorists which led to an exchange of fire. The terrorists attempted to escape but were intercepted and suppressed with heavy volume of fire.

    “Consequently, the troops with reinforcement from 143 Battalion Gulak engaged the terrorists on Two Front Coordinated Attacks.

    “The BHTs were completely routed by the troops, neutralizing many of them, while others fled in disarray due to superior firepower.

    “As a result, they hastily evacuated most of their corpses under the cover of darkness. The entire area has been dominated by own troops and the situation is completely under control. Items captured from the terrorists include One Ford vehicle, two Toyota Starlet vehicles loaded with foodstuffs, one motorcycle and one tyre inflating machine.

    “Further exploitation is to be conducted this morning. Calm has since returned to the city and inhabitants of the town are hereby enjoined to report the presence of strange faces in their localities and go about their normal businesses. “

  • Boko Haram attacks Michika, bombs bank

    Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Michika town in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, razing the only commercial bank building in the town.

    The Nation gathered Tuesday morning that the insurgents got into the town about 7 pm Monday after overpowering the military formation in the town.

    Witnesses said the insurgents seized control of the town for a while, scaring hundreds of residents into surrounding bushes until soldiers arrived from Madagali following a reinforcement call from military authorities.

    Michika lies in the northern part of Adamawa State, an immediate neighbour to Madagali Local Government Area which was haunted by Boko Haram in the weeks and days to the February 16 and March 9 general elections.

    In the Monday attack on Michika, the insurgents bombed the Union Bank of Nigeria branch, the only banking facility in the town.

    Sources said the insurgents also burnt houses in Koppa village as they fled towards Sambisa with soldiers and mobilised local hunters on their trail.

    The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar who confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with our correspondent Tuesday morning, said his information did not indicate any human casualty and that security agents had brought the situation under control.

  • Boko Haram terrorists attack Adamawa community

    The military on Monday chased out insurgents who tried to enter Michika, a commercial town in Adamawa, after a fierce battle that raged for hours.

    Some residents of Michika told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they started hearing gunfire and explosions around 7 p.m. on Michika- Lassa road as the insurgents, who approached the town, were confronted by the military.

    “We are hearing gunshots and the fight is raging on,” a resident of Michika who simply identified himself as Idris, said.

    “Pray for us; Boko Haram are trying to enter Michika,” another resident, Teri, said.

    John Jigalambu, a resident of Bazza, a village near Michika, said they could hear gunshots and most residents in the village had escaped to avoid the attackers.

    Read also: MNJTF neutralises 33 Boko Haram terrorists in Lake Chad region

    Confirming the incident, the Adamawa Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the military was on top of the situation.

    According to Sajoh, the insurgents, who entered through Kirchinga village in neigbouring Madagali local government, were being chased out by the military which had deployed reinforcement.

    “They burnt the first bank in Michika and some shops,” Sajoh said. (NAN)

  • Haruna commends Nigerian Army’s response to Boko Haram attacks in Michik

    Former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna has hailed the effort of the Nigerian Army as well other security agencies over their prompt and gallant response to Boko Haram attacks in his community, Michika.
    Members of the Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Michika town, the headquarters of  Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State barely few days to the supplementary election, but the Nigerian Army in a gallant response quelled the uprising by neutralizing the terrorists who came in their numbers
    Mr Haruna in a statement signed personally by him said;
    “It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    “I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    “In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.” he added.
    Full Statement
    I wish to most profoundly commend the Nigerian army and other security agencies for the their prompt and gallant response to the attack in Michika, my community yesterday by suspected  Boko Haram insurgents.
    It would be recalled that Michika came under intense attack yesterday night 18th, March, 2019 which lasted  for hours during which the Nigerian army gallantly and professionally  engaged the insurgents in a deadly gun battle, for which we are most grateful.
    It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall  also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.
    In  keeping with the spirit of steadfastness,  we must not lose sight of our civic duties and responsibilities as we keep a date  with the March 23rd, 2019 forthcoming  supplementary election in  4 or 6 Polling Units in  Michika and other 13 Local Government Areas across the state.
    We must be part of making history  towards ushering in a purposeful and focused leadership that will fast track the full return to nomalcy of life for our people through the rebuilding of our destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure. It is doable. Yes! it is with the correct leadership.