1,000 households get relief materials after Boko Haram attacks on Bama

By Rauf Oyewole

Following the recent attack on Darajamal, Bama Local Government area of Borno State, the North East Development Commission has distributed relief materials to the residents and families of the affected people to cushion the devastating effects.

The Commission said that the food and non-food items targeted 1,000 families of both 58 civilians and five security personnel that were killed in the recent attack.

Borno State Coordinator of NEDC, Muhammad Umara, while distributing the items told journalists that the items included; 25kg bags of rice, 25kg sugar, vegetable oil, cartons of noodles, pasta, blanket, children and women’s wear.

“We are here because of the recent attack by Boko Haram on this community, which led to the death of 58 civilians and five soldiers. These items, including food and non-food items, were approved to cushion the effect of what has happened to them,” he said.

Umar explained further that the beneficiaries of the items are widows whose husbands were killed in the recent attack and already existing widows whose husbands were killed by Boko Haram terrorists in the past.

He stressed, “we are targeting about 1,000 house-holds. Each will go home with eight items, consisting of foodstuff and non-food materials.

“The non food items were blankets, women wrappers, brocade for men, and children's clothes. The food items were bags of 25kg rice each, spaghetti, macaroni, sugar, and vegetable oil.

“It is supposed to be 900 households, but coupled with the military personnel around, the civilian JTF, hunters and the police. We are extending the gesture to them because without them, the people will not be comfortable staying here.”

Also, the NEDC Head of Branch Operations, Aishatu Muhammad added that the distribution exercise was personally conducted by the Commission to ensure that the items get to the direct victims.

“This distribution means a lot because the attack involves our brothers, sisters, and children who have been brutally killed. The commission deems it fit to come and distribute the items personally, to ensure that those affected and who actually need them get the items,” she said.

The Chairman of Bama Local Council, Alhaji Modu Gujja commended the Commission for the timely intervention while urging Darajamal residents to report suspicious movements of individuals and groups to the police and other security agencies in the Bama-Darajamal-Banki axis.