For anyone who has lived in the far northern part of Nigeria, especially in Maiduguri, Borno State, will understand what I’m about to share.
I grew up in Borno start and I've lived there for over ten years of my life. Borno State used to be a very peaceful place but everything changed when Boko Haram started their terrorists attacks. The place turned into a war zone.
The experience I've heard with Boko Haram was a night mare. I always remember the night of Saturday, August 16, 2009. That was when the whole boko haram attacks started within that area. It was around few minutes passed 11 PM. We were already asleep and then my dad phone rang and he received a call from his friend saying that there is shooting going on in the city, let's be at alert. Not long after he ended the call, we began to hear gunshots from different directions closer to us. Different sounds of gunshots that I use to only hear in movies. That was the first time I ever heard the sound of real gunshots.
My dad was a force man and because of that, we had the privilege of living in the barracks. So those boko haram terrorists couldn't come in barracks. But from a distance, we could see the flashes of gunfire in the air and houses burning. People from different parts of the city who were not living within the barracks fled into the barracks for safety. Houses were parked with people, even those I don't know.
As we gathered in one room, we began to heard gunshots more closer to us, right inside the barracks. Somehow, some of the terrorists guys found their way into the barracks through the fence. Fortunately for them, they were met with strong resistance because the Mobile Police (MOPOL) were stationed at every corner of the barracks. The gunfire continued throughout the night into the next day. When things finally calmed, we stepped outside. The air was full of smoke, buildings that were around the barracks were riddled with bullet holes, and the bullets shells were full on the ground.
Some months later, the military personnel captured the leader of the terrorists group, then Muhammad Yesu, and brought him to our barracks (Mopol barracks). I remember that day, when people heard that the leader of boko haram was captured, and he's brought to the barracks, most people came out in anger, holding sticks and stones. The police were just firing gunshots into the air, celebrating the capture. The crowd of angry and furious people gathered and began to beat and stone him (the terrorists leader).
People came and were shouting at the leader that he has caused pain to many people!, he has ruined the lives of many! They hit this man and the some force men began to shot him from his feet.
Eventually, he died right there. His body was disfigured and scattered on the ground. It became very irritating on the ground as if the body was crushed by a train. It became very hard to look at.
As brutal as it was, many hoped that since the leader of the terrorists group is now death, that would mark the end of the terrorism activity in the state. But it didn’t Instead, things got worse. The terrorists resorted to the use of bombs.
One experience I can never erase from my memory is the bomb blast that exploded at the roundabout near my school. We were in class receiving lessons when we suddenly heard a loud Boommm!!!!. The explosion of a bomb blast. The sound shook the entire area. The vibration alone was scary.
From our classroom windows, we saw how people were screaming, crying, and running. Cars were on fire, and some people lost their lives in the explosion. It was very horrifying. That was the first time I ever witnessed the aftermath of a real bomb blast.
Another bomb blast exploded in the market. That one calm the lives of many. Maiduguri became the ground for bombing that the state had to close down all school, till further notice. There was a day, on Friday that bomb exploded about 7 times in different locations. Maiduguri became a night mare and people were just living to another place even if they don't know where they were going to stay.
The terror continued for years until my father’s transfer letter was finally released, and we had to leave Maiduguri for another state. This experience is an unforgettable experience that is always in my memory for over 14 years now.
Thank you very much for Reading!!!