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‘Military forewarned of impending assault’
From TIMOTHY OLANREWAJU, Maiduguri
It has emerged that the military was forewarned about movement of Boko Haram in the Magumeri area and a possible attack by the insurgents before the ambush on oil workers, varsity staff and security escort on a Borno road. This took place last week and left nearly 40 people dead, sources said.
Sunday Sun gathered reliably that the military authority in Borno was already working on the intelligence before the Boko Haram attack on the team, which was returning from Baso Yasu, a remote area and site for the oil prospecting activity by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The attack left in its wake, deaths and pains as families of the victims received the remains of their slain ones in tears. Nine staff of the University of Maiduguri including lecturers and technical staff were among the team escorted by Civilian JTF and soldiers,
But for the families of those still missing or yet to be seen days after the Boko Haram ambush, it was a moment of anxiety, pains and waiting that seems to be endless. “We’re troubled because we aren’t sure about the whereabouts of our colleagues,” says Dr Dani Mamman, chairman, Academic Staff Union of University, UNIMAID.
According to Mamman, four staff of the University, namely Dr Solomon Yusuf, Yusuf Mohammed (both academic staff), Mohammed Kolo, a technical staff and Haruna (driver) are yet to be seen, whether dead or alive.
He also gave the names of those killed and corpses recovered as Dr Manger Uba, Dr Joseph Miletus and Dr N. Y Solomon (all lecturers). Others recovered from the scene include two technical staff – Mr Kampo Mohammed and Daniel Birma.
More deaths, discoveries
Military said it had “rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the officer, eight soldiers killed” in the attack. But more deaths were discovered days after the incident. Last Thursday, two corpses of Civilian JTF were recovered and brought to the families for burial.
Military and CJTF sources told Sunday Sun that about 40 people were killed in the attack. “Twenty two CJTF men died in the attack while more than 10 soldiers also paid the supreme price,” one of the sources said.
Sunday Sun learnt that six out of the slain CJTF members were mobilized from Maiduguri while 16 joined the escort at Magumeri. A source at the NNPC depot in Maiduguri also said the corporation lost four of its drivers in the convoy even as the source questioned the Military’s claim that they rescued all NNPC staff reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram during the ambush.
Tears, pains in Maiduguri
Tears and pains are palpable in Maiduguri as families and friends mourn the deceased. Dr Manaja’s relations described his death as painful. “It is so painful that we lost Dr Manaja of Geography department, University of Maiduguri. They’ve found his corpse. So sad,” wrote Naomi Abakwu, a relative. Sunday Sun gathered that one of the wives of the missing UNIMAID staff fell ill as soon as she heard about her husband’s abduction by Boko Haram.
More still missing
Four passengers in a Toyota Hilux vehicle in the team may have been abducted by Boko Haram, UNIMAID authorities said. Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Njodi gave the indication during the sympathy visit of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to the University last Friday. The University said it had not received information about the whereabouts of Dr Solomon Yusuf, Yusuf Ibrahim, Mohammed Kolo and Haruna, the driver of the four-wheel drive vehicle. The picture of the four seated on the floor backing a flowery curtain was circulated on social media last Friday night though Sunday Sun could not verify the authenticity of the photograph. As days pass, residents of Maiduguri said they are worried about renewed attacks by Boko Haram despite claims by the military to have decimated the group.
