Residents of Gwoza community, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, are are in distress as a result of the horrific increase in attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram.
The community has banded together under the campaign slogan “Gwoza is bleeding” to urge an end to the slaughter as the number of farmers, commuters, and locals falling victim to the terrorist group’s attacks rapidly doubled over the years.
It was gathered that residents, who are fed up with the rising level of insecurity in their neighbourhood, intend to express their worries through a non-violent protest.
The campaign has already started to spread on social media platforms, mostly supporting requests for the appropriate authorities to end the security problems in Gwoza. On posts connected to the campaign, hashtags such #gwozaisbleeding, #gwozadailymassacre, and #weneedpeace may be spotted.
For many years, Boko Haram insurgents have made Gwoza one of their top targets as they terrorised the area by carrying out brutal attacks on helpless residents. Due to these attacks, daily life has been disturbed, preventing farmers from maintaining their fields, commuters from travelling, and locals from living without fear.
In the previous month, terrorists have killed at least fourteen individuals, and many more have been forced to relocate.
The emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, has conveyed compassion and grief to the kin and families of those who have just passed away.
The Emir has ordered all the communities in Gwoza and the surrounding area to halt farming operations until further notice or when security has been restored.
In an interview with the reporters, the Emir said “I just had a meeting with heads of security agencies, including concerned stakeholders in the emirate with a view to address renewed killings by Boko Haram members in the community.
“I want to firstly sympathise with families of those killed in the road ambush and other attacks on farmers in Gwoza, which had claimed many lives. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
“It is unfortunate that in the last two weeks, about ten farmers were slaughtered simultaneously in their farms while harvesting crops in Gwoza,” he added.