Borno emirs who fled from their palaces in the wake of Boko Haram attacks begin returning

TRADITIONAL rulers across Borno State who fled their domains when faced with Boko Haram attacks have begun returning to their palaces now that the insurgents have been expelled and normality has begun to return.

 

Last year, Boko Haram controlled as many as 14 local government areas in Borno State and the emirs of towns they captured fled to state capital Maiduguri. In many cases, these traditional rulers even abandoned their families as they fled, leading to Boko Haram appropriating their wives and sharing them out among their commanders.

 

Over the last year, however, the Nigerian military has beaten back the terrorists, reclaiming almost all of the land they captured. With normal life gradually returning to Borno State, at least five of these traditional monarchs have returned to their palaces and resumed their duties as local emirs.

 

According to sources, the emirs fled to Maiduguri two years ago when the insurgents took control of their communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state. Boko Haram insurgents took control of the area in August 2015 and announced the establishment of a caliphate, forcing residents, including the emirs to flee.

 

Yesterday, two of the emirs, Muhammadu Askirama of Askira and Ismaila Mamza of Uba, returned to their respective palaces in the company of Borno State deputy governor, Alhaji Mamman Durkuwa. However, three others, including the Emir of Bama Kyari El-Kanemi, Emir of Dikwa, Muhammad Ibn Masta, and the Emir of Gwoza, Muhammad Timta were yet to return from Maiduguri, where they reside.

 

Speaking at a short ceremony at their palaces, the emirs commended the Nigerian military for their gallantry in routing the Boko Haram terrorists. They expressed optimism that terrorism would end soon in the country, going by the successes being recorded by the military.

 

Alhaji Durkuwa assured the emirs that the government would undertake projects to restore life back to the area. He then urged residents to be law abiding and report any sign of security threat to relevant agencies.

 

Meanwhile, President Mahamadou Issoufou of neighbouring Niger Republic, has said scores of arrested Boko Haram militants will be handed over to the International Criminal Court, for trial. He mentioned this in a document from the World Humanitarian Summit, currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.