As the battle for Bama in Borno State with Boko Haram and Nigeria troops continues, Gulani Local Government council in Yobe state has been captured by Boko Haram insurgents.
The takeover of Gulani local government brings to two the total number of LGAs under the control of the insurgents in the state with Gujba earlier captured one month ago.
Residents who fled Bara, the council headquarters informed that the insurgents have taken over the council secretariat and the local government lodge at Bara.
“The boys entered the town yesterday in the afternoon with hilux cars and motor cycles preaching to different places.
“They went to the government lodged and the local government secretariat complex where they are now occupying. People were afraid but they kept on announcing that they only came to do the work of Allah(GOD) but not to kill anybody.
“They were preaching that people should leave their government work and join them in working for Allah alone”, Ibrahim who fled Bara last night narrated.
Member representing Gulani in the State House of Assembly Hon. Abdullahi Kukuwa also confirmed the takeover of his local government by the insurgents.
“As I speak with you now, the whole of my local government has been taken over by these boys. They are doing what they want. It is very unfortunate that government is not taken drastic action over this matter”, Hon. Kukuwa said.
Residents have also informed that the sect members are currently on wide preaching mission across towns and villages in the two local government areas without hindrance from security operatives who have long vacated the areas.
Reports indicate that the insurgents freely gathered locals of Goneri, Ambiya, Buni-Yadi, Gujba and Buni-Gari under Gujba Council Area as well as; Kukuwa Gari, Bularafa, Bumsa and Bara town of Gulani Local government Area preaching their ideologies and soliciting for more followers.
“The boys (Boko Haram insurgents) often move from town to town and gather the people for open preaching asking for the support of the people in joining the group which is aimed at instituting shariah legal system in the region” a resident informed.
He mentioned that though the insurgents do allow people to ask questions, people are always careful not to asking provoking questions in order not to bring a death sentence on your head.
“They give time for questions but nobody ask why they are killing or kidnapping people because everyone is afraid to die as such a question may provoke them”, he said.
On the attack on Gulani, Abubakar(not real name) explained: “When they realized that people were panicking, they went to the Ward head’s house and registered their arrival, telling him that their coming was just to preach and not to harm anyone. The insurgents called the early morning prayers, led the prayers and preached for over an hour before they going back to the government lodge were they camped”
Speaking on their mode of dressing, the residents said the sect members are usually dressed in half military uniforms arm with their AK47 brandished on their shoulders driving freely in Hilux Jeeps apparently snatched from security operatives and motor cycles.
Gulani and Gujba have been since cut-off from Damaturu following the blowing off of the Katarko Bridge by the insurgents barely one month ago.