RESIDENTS have continued to flee Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, two days after terrorists launched multiple attacks on churches, schools, and a satellite prison where over 50 lives were lost.

A worried ward head, who sought anonymity, lamented that the affected residents had been living peacefully in Pompomari, Pawari and Bundigari areas of the metropolis until the Boko Haram sect struck.

As at yesterday, most houses in the areas were locked while shops and stalls were shut down at 12.30 p.m.

At the Damaturu Central Motor Park, an official, Isa Audu, said: “Yesterday (Monday), a total of 546 passengers boarded buses to Maiduguri, Potiskum, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states in the North-East sub-region. As you can see, the passengers today (yesterday) are still boarding buses to other neighbouring towns and cities in the North. This morning, a traveller hired a whole bus to carry his personal effects and family members to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Business activities are gradually picking up with some shops and business premises opening up, while customers rush to stock food and other household items. Most civil servants are yet to report for work one week after the attacks.

Kaduna indigenes, under the platform of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), have called for peaceful co-existence among the residents of the state.

In a statement yesterday, the National President of SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje, expressed joy over the gradual return of peace to the state and commended President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Patrick Yakowa, the security agencies, political and religious leaders, monarchs and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring the quick return of law and order to the state.

Following the review of the 24-hour curfew in the state yesterday, most parts of the Kaduna metropolis were beehive of activities.

Offices, markets and other business premises were opened as residents thronged them for various transactions between 7.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.

The Leader of Northern Civil Society Coalition, Malam Shehu Sani, fears that the poor leadership quality of President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly may endanger democracy in Nigeria.

He faulted the comment of the Senate President David Mark on the possible break-up of the nation.

Sani said a pragmatic leadership was what Nigeria needed to resolve its ills rather than predicting the nation’s break-up.

In a statement yesterday, Sani said Mark’s warning of a possible break-up of Nigeria as a result of bombings and his shifting of blame to northern leaders was unfortunate.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have canvassed better use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to curb terrorism and youths’ restiveness in the country.

The NCS President, Mr. Ademola Aladekomo, said yesterday in Lagos that it had become imperative for the government to look at solutions derivable from the ICT sector to stem the increasing wave of crimes in Nigeria.

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Jun 27 2012. Filed under Boko Haram, Headlines, Kaduna, State News, Yobe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry