BOKO HARAM RENAMES MUBI ‘MADINATUL ISLAM’

CONTRARY to claim by the Nigerian military that it is on top of the security challenge in the commercial town of Mubi, in Adamawa State, the dreaded Boko Haram sect is consolidating its position in the captured town by renaming it “Madinatul Islam,” meaning ‘the city of Islam’.
One of the residents, Aliyu Bala, who could not leave Mubi at the time of the invasion of the town by the insurgents, disclosed this in a telephone chat with journalists. He said the insurgents had completely taken over control of the town.
“They mounted checkpoints and surveillance at strategic locations, brandishing rifles, but asking us not to panic or run away,” Mr Bala said.
He said despite assurances of safety given to them by the Boko Haram, thousands of trapped residents had been sneaking out, preferring not to take chances.
Sunday Wugira, a Yola-based legal practitioner, who went to Maiha town to pick his aged parents, who fled Mubi when it was captured, said despite the assurance by the insurgents, several trapped residents were still fleeing, including soldiers.
“I was in Maiha a few hours ago, the plight of the people I saw was simply beyond imagination. “We were in a commercial bus when some fleeing soldiers said we must adjust for them to get space in the bus to flee, which we objected to. It is unfortunate that even soldiers joined civilians to flee,” he said.
Meanwhile, the insurgents have urged displaced residents of captured communities of Adamawa State to return home, assuring them of safety in the “Islamic Caliphate.”
Four local governments— Michika, Madagali, Mubi North and Mubi South of Adamawa State, have fallen under the grip of the Boko Haram, leading to the displacement of thousands.
A resident of Uba town, Salisu Baba, said normal activities had picked up in the captured territories, as the Boko Haram insurgents enjoined residents to go about their normal activities and open their shops for business.
The resident added that the insurgents had warned politicians not to try to hold any election in the state, as they vowed to frustrate such.
“The terrorists also vowed to capture the entire state soon.
“They have assured people of freedom and have been telling shop owners to open their shops, threatening that anyone who fails to do so, will have it broken into.
“Whenever the insurgents want any commodity, they pay for it. This encouraged meat sellers, tea sellers and others to open for business.
“They provided security during the market day in Uba, last Thursday, while promising to continue to provide utmost security to marketers and residents, who came to the area, as long as they complied with Islamic rules.
“They have opened one of the filling stations belonging to A.A Garba in Uba, and motorists troop to buy the commodity which is of high demand,” Mr Baba said.
Source: Tribune