How we escaped Boko Haram attack –Bama survivors

Displaced persons queuing up for relief materials in Maiduguri... on Thursday

Some of the people who escaped the latest Boko Haram attack on Bama, Borno State, have narrated their experience, describing it as painful.

Many of the troubled residents, who narrated their close shave with death, revealed that they trekked more than 50 kilometers in order to get to safety in Maiduguri.

When our correspondent visited the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in the heart of the troubled city, many of the victims were seen queuing to collect blankets, sleeping mats and other relief items.

One of them, Mallam Bukar Gana, shared near-death experience with Saturday PUNCH.

Gana said, “We suffered a lot in the process of escaping from Bama and we had to trek several kilometers to reach Maiduguri. The journey took an entire day and night. I got to Maiduguri the following day. I have seven children but I was able to escape with only two. Right now, I do not know the whereabouts of the rest of my children and their mother.

“Though they provide food for us at the camp, I have not been able to eat like several other people here because we are presently suffering psychological trauma. We are concerned about the fate of the rest of our families and friends whom we are still searching for and do not know whether they are trapped in Bama or have been killed.”

Recalling the moment the town came under the terrorists’ attack, he said the heavy sound of gunshots and mortars almost drove them out of their skins.

“We heard deafening gunshots and it was as if the heaven was about falling on us. We could no longer stay indoors, we were afraid the danger was going to swallow us up. But miraculously we found the courage to run and escape in any direction available just to get to Maiduguri where we feel we could be a lot safer,” Gana said.

[/media-credit] Some of the displaced persons from Bama at the NYSC Camp, Maiduguri… on Thursday

Tijjani Mamman, 25, is another victim. He is yet to get over the shock of the latest attack on the town by the insurgents as he told Saturday PUNCH that he is lucky to be alive.

Mamman said, “We initially thought the insurgents were soldiers deployed in Bama barracks because they were fully kitted in military camouflage and vehicles. When they reached the barracks, they started shooting sporadically to scare the military men away and when we saw this we knew the town was in danger. We had to run into the bush to save our lives.

“We had to trek from Bama to Kawuri before we were able to board a vehicle to Maiduguri. As we speak, I do not know what might have happened to my parents back in Bama. I am only praying and hoping that they are safe wherever they are right now,” he said.

A 42-year-old woman, Kellu Kachallah, also had bitter tales to tell. She said that even in Maiduguri she does not feel safe with her children.

Kachallah said, “We passed through hell getting out of the town with our children.

“It was hectic especially trekking all the way to Kawuri for several hours with little children before finally squeezing ourselves with others in a vehicle to Maiduguri. As I am talking to you, I am still feeling pains all over my body as a result of all we went through these past few days.

“I do not pray to see what I saw in Bama in my life time again. The terrorists came in hundreds with sophisticated weapons and started shooting in every direction. They succeeded in scaring the security men away before taking their weapons. It was like a war scene. I still cannot believe I am alive and truly escaped from that place.”

PUNCH