Terrorists attacks: Communities beg FG, Army to relocate Maiduguri’s Giwa Barracks

By Usman Abubakar Maiduguri

Threatened by repeated attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on the military facility over the years, and the recent explosions from its armoury, which rattled Maiduguri metropolis, communities surrounding Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, have pleaded passionately with the federal government and the Nigerian Army to relocate the barracks to the outskirts of the metropolis.

This plea followed a motion for the same purpose tabled by the the House of Representatives member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, Ahmed Satomi, adopted by the House.

Giwa Barracks, built decades ago, reportedly held in custody arrested Boko Haram insurgents, since 2014, which reportedly attracted repeated attacks by the terrorists in efforts to free the arrested fighters.

About three weeks ago, repeated blasts from its armoury for over three hours of a night rattled the metropolis, sending many residents to a stampede, reminiscent of the peak insurgency years, as they scampered for safety.

“Today, we raise a matter of pressing concern to the people of Maiduguri and especially to the communities of Galtimari, Fori and 122 others, who live in close proximity to Giwa Barracks,” Dr. Hassan Boguma, the Zanna Boguma of Borno, spokesman for the communities, told newsmen in Maiduguri, Sunday, June 1.

“Giwa Barracks has over time become a target of repeated attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, with significant incidents recorded in 2014, three incidents in 2015 and another in 2019, all aimed at freeing detained insurgents,” he recalled.

“Just recently, explosions occurred within the barracks – thankfully no lives were lost,” Alhaji Boguma, flanked by leaders of the communities and a population of residents, recalled further.

“This incident underscores the grave risk faced daily by over a million residents like bing around the barracks,” he posited, arguing, “Their lives, properties and peace of mind are under constant threat, simply by virtue of their proximity to a high-value military target.”

Boguma pleaded: “It is therefore in the interest of public safety and strategic military effectiveness that we call on: The Federal Government of Nigeria; The Defense Headquarters and the Nigerian Army; The National Security Adviser; The Executive Governor of Borno State; and Borno State House of Assembly, to take urgent and practical steps to relocate Giwa Barracks to the outskirts of Maiduguri or to any suitably secure location far removed from dense civilian populations.”

He said the communities’ pleas are driven by the need to protect lives, reduce civilian exposure to insurgent attacks and allow the military to operate in a more controlled and secure environment.