Henry Wakama, an indigene of Garkida town in Adamawa state recounts how Boko Haram fighters invaded the town, spreading carnage and killing at least four people on Christmas Eve.
I departed Yola on the 24th Dec to celebrate the Christmas in my sweet home Garkida. Little did I know a bitter experience awaits me.
I had a safe drive to Garkida, but on entering the town I was welcomed by an Army truck filled with armed personels speeding towards the entrance of the town.
I stopped by the market trying to enquire what was happening, to my dismay everyone was running for his dear life. I managed to stopped someone and asked, his answer send a paralysed feelings down my spine, “they are coming again”. Without much ado I knew it was boko haram.
I struggled and drove past the market towards my house, I reach home, as almost everyone was running into the bushes and the mountain. Not quite long I started hearing sounds of gun shots and bullets flying around.
I saw someone close-by trying to close his gate, on sighting me coming he opened his gate and I drove in. I quickly packed the car after brushing the gate post, run out and up into the mountain to take cover, that was around the hours of 4pm.
We hid in the mountain and watched them engaged in fierce battle with the Army and the vigilantes. We could see them also packing cartoons of drugs from the hospital store. Moments later there was sights of fighter jets dropping bombs and neutralising the boko haram attacks.
We were in the mountain until around 1am when the gun shots and bombings subsided, then we came down and sneaked into our homes to find shelter, as the breeze and cold on the mountain was biting hard on the children and becoming unbearable.
The following morning, 25th, we began counting our losses.
- A police officer (DPO not of Garkida division) was shot dead.
- 4 corpses were later found, two of which are believed to be workers of the ongoing water project, and the others, youths.
- trucks belonging to road project contractor were all raised down
- hospital pharmacy was broken and all medications looted
- hospital ambulance was vandalised
- cars belonging people were burnt.
- 5 of our youths were taken into captivity.
To those in captivity, we pray for their safety and safe return.
To those that lost there beloved ones, may the Lord comfort them all. To those that lost their properties, may the Lord blessed them with His abundance.
To the whole people of Garkida, may the Lord give us the strength and bravery to stand against such onslaught.
