CAN petitions Borno gov, police, others over Boko Haram threat

Members of the District Church Council (DCC) of Ekilisiyar Yanuwa Nigeria (EYN); under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gwoza Council of Borno State have petitioned Governor Kashim Shettima, the Police, State Security Services(SSS)over a threat letter by Boko Haram to the communities in the area.
They also complained about the killings of 15 people, destruction of 274 houses, 12 churches and 341 bags of grains.
Bokko is a border community with Cameroon.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the Boko Haram and Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) clash at Mainok village has risen from one to four as three other youths that were admitted at the Umaru Shehu Hospital, Bulukutu for gunshot wounds died Saturday morning.
The threat letter written in Hausa language and dated July 8, 2013 to Barawa, Chinne, Arbakko, Attagara, Ngoshe I and II residents reads in part: “Despite the fleeing of these residents, we are still pursuing you, because the soldiers with you people cannot protect you as the Muslims in these communities are being killed. Your lives, farmlands and other property are also not safeguarded. By God’s willing we should not fail to tell the people of Bokko community and the listed Churches in this letter to be attacked this month (July).”
The petition which was signed by the DCC Secretary, Rev. Joel Y. Ndirmbita and copied the Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Police commissioner, Director of State Security Service (SSS) and Gwoza Emirate Council added: “We consider it an onerous task to bring to your notice an attempt and grand design to wipe us (Christians) from the face of the universe by some unpatriotic fellows who claimed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.
“This faceless group has perfected plans to launch an attack against our lives and property as contained in their threat letter of July 8, 2013; and addressed to various Churches in Gwoza Local Council. It is on the strength of their letter which they have now commenced to implement by uprooting crops on our farmlands and spraying them with herbicides. But as a body of responsible Nigerians, we are deeply saddened at the trend despite the efforts of the government in enhancing security to protect citizens’ lives and property; as well as providing unflinching ways of strengthening peace and national unity. In view of this development, we are appealing to His Excellency, the security agencies and all stakeholders to come to our aid before the planned violence erupts.”
In the petition, the secretary also listed 15 people killed, along with the destruction of houses, churches farmlands and motorcycles.
Speaking further on the killings, Yakubu Toeye, who also got a threat letter from the Boko Haram sect, told The Guardian that 12 churches were set ablaze with furniture and documents destroyed at the Gwoza Hills settlements in Kunde, Hembe, Gathahure, Klala, and COCIN Church of Himbe.
He said on June 6, 2013, the gunmen also torched seven churches and the houses of Christians, and carted away their grains along with livestock.
He added that a total of 274 houses were also destroyed in 10 villages and communities in Gwoza council area, while 341 bags of assorted grains were also destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking on Sunday in Maiduguri at the hospital premises, BVYG’s chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Mallum said the death of the four members of the group was a tragedy to the group.
Also, in a statement yesterday, the JTF’s spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, said: “On hearing the news of the clash at about 11 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2013, the JTF troops were drafted to the area and have been operating in Mainok and surrounding villages with a view to apprehending the bandits.”