Escalation of Violence in Borno State
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and the parents of a teenage girl, Aisha Muhammad, have recently raised concerns over her abduction by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The incident has sparked an urgent appeal to the military to accelerate efforts for her release.
The attack occurred on Saturday when Boko Haram militants targeted the Kirawa community, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers and displacing numerous residents. According to the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Kirawa, the attackers set houses, shops, and vehicles ablaze during the assault.
He described the events as follows: "On Saturday, around 9:30 pm, Boko Haram went to the town. While there, they exchanged fire with the Multi-Joint Task Force. After the attack, they abducted a girl named Aisha Muhammad Aja and burned houses, vehicles, and shops. Around 1 am, they left the town, and our people fled to Cameroon. Later, they returned, while some slept there. Currently, the situation is a bit calm, and most people have come back to the town and resumed their normal business."
This incident echoes the tragic case of Leah Sharibu, a 14-year-old student from Yobe State who has remained in Boko Haram captivity since February 19, 2018. Despite the release of most of the kidnapped students, Leah was kept due to her refusal to renounce her Christian faith. Efforts to secure her release have not yielded results, and her case remains unresolved.
Aisha’s mother, Amina Bukar, has expressed deep concern over her daughter's situation. She has pleaded with authorities to prevent her daughter’s case from becoming another tragedy like Leah’s. Since the abduction, she and her husband have been in constant distress, mourning their daughter’s continued captivity.
Bukar shared that before her abduction, Aisha had just completed her junior secondary education and was the family's only hope. "I am the mother of Aisha Muhammad Aja, the girl that was abducted. I am appealing to relevant agencies to help me look for my daughter. She is my only surviving hope," she said, breaking down in tears.
Her father, Mohammed Aja, also urged the government to take immediate action. "I am pleading with the Nigerian government to rescue my daughter," he said.
Aisha’s former class teacher, Buba Aji, highlighted her intellectual abilities and dedication to learning. He described her as a well-behaved and reserved student who showed a strong desire to continue her education. "She was our student before and recently wrote her Junior Secondary school exam. A well-behaved and reserved student who you will always see her willingness to further her education," he said.
During the attack, Aji recounted how the community reacted. "We were at home when we started hearing sporadic shootings in the community. As the shooting continued, those residing near JTF camps around General Hospital Kirawa began to evacuate from that area to our own area. And after that, we all ran towards the river bank bordering Nigeria to take refuge close to an immigration office there."
He added, "As the shooting continued, thanks to the Military from Cameroon, they had a stamp on their cloth inscribed BIR, they entered and helped the JTF under attack in Kirawa. It was during the attack that many soldiers later ran away before the insurgents were able to get the girl, Aisha Muhammad Aja in her home."
Another resident, Mudi Shettima, noted that since the attack, only the youths and civilian JTF remained in Kirawa until residents began returning in small numbers. "We want peace in our community and a return of the kidnapped girl. The government should please assist us," he pleaded.
Reacting to the incident, the National President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, condemned the abduction and called for decisive action by the authorities. "I knew there was an attack by some terrorist groups in Borno last week. The Nigerian military needs to do the needful. And the government must give them exactly what they need to perform better because injury to one must be seen as injury to all."
He emphasized the importance of rescuing Aisha and others currently held captive by the terrorists. "For the young lady who has now spent seven days with the terrorists, let the troops go all out to make sure they bring her back to unite her with her family. This must not be allowed to continue."
Shettima stressed that efforts should also be made to rescue all other persons currently being detained by the terrorists, including the schoolgirl. "The government must be more decisive and serious, and the military can improve to ensure that, not only her, but other people kept in captivity are rescued as soon as possible so they can reunite with their families."