The Director General of the Center, Rev. Kallamu Dikwa, accused Governor Zulum of resettling the Muslim indigenes who were also displaced by Boko Haram back to their ancestral homes but abandoning their Christian counterparts.
The Center for Justice on Religions and Ethnicity in Nigeria (CJREN) has written to President Bola Tinubu, accusing Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State of abandoning Christian indigenes of Gwoza Local Government of the state who were displaced by Boko Haram from their homes more than 10 years ago.
The Director General of the Center, Rev. Kallamu Dikwa, accused Governor Zulum of resettling the Muslim indigenes who were also displaced by Boko Haram back to their ancestral homes but abandoning their Christian counterparts.
According to him, the Christian victims are languishing in various remote internally displaced camps with “no access to any social amenities including healthcare services”.
Dikwa said that the resettled Muslim indigenes who could not reach their remote villages were accommodated in headquarters of local government areas and provided security and other basic needs of life “but to the Christians from Gwoza axes, they were left at the mercy of God, some state governors and other African presidents”.
The CJREN Director General alleged that hundreds of thousands of Gwoza displaced Christian indigenes were taking refuge in Cameroon, Yola - Adamawa State capital, Taraba State, Maiduguri town, Karu, Nasarawa State, Jos - Plateau State capital, Enugu in the Southeast, Edo in the South-South and other places.
He said, “Sir, we want to bring to your excellent desk the affairs of our dear country, especially the plight of Christian indigenes of Gwoza Local Government who were displaced by Boko Haram from their ancestral homes for more than 10 years now.
“The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has tried in bringing back the Muslim indigenes who were displaced by Boko Haram back to their ancestral homes.
“Those that cannot reach to their remote villages were accommodated in the LGA headquarters and provided security and other basic needs of life but to the Christians from Gwoza axes, they were left at the mercies of God, some state governors and other African presidents.
“Mr President, if you, the state governors involved and other presidents of the neighbouring countries do not take a stand to bring them back, these Borno citizens will continue to suffer more untold hardship than the one already experiencing.
“These indigenes cannot exercise their franchise because of the locations they found themselves in and to me this is more like a modern slavery in your own country. These people have limited farm lands, no access to primary health care, no basic education, no portable drinking water and good housing accommodations.
“Should they continue to suffer because they are in the opposite faith to the governor of their state? Is being a Christian a yardstick to displacement from their homelands?
“Your Excellency sir, my own village Murye Malum Maaje, Gumsu District is still under the control of Boko Haram up till today.
“Mr President sir, we appeal to your fatherly conscience to come to our aid and return Gwoza Christians from aforementioned IDP camps to their communities; set up a committee for the return of the Christian IDPs which will include Gwoza Christian Community Association (GCCA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gwoza chapter and a respected elder from EYN Church.”
Dikwa further informed President Tinubu that Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State are still powerful.
According to him, they occupy many districts and villages in the state.
“Your Excellency sir, as a father to all and at your ascension to the seat of power as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you gave us hope of freedom of worship and also for one to live in any location of one's choice irrespective of his/her religion or ethnic differences.
“With your coming to power at such a time as this, we may tend to believe that God has a purpose for you to be there, should you do the above recommendations for us,” he added.