Normalcy returns to Bauchi, refugees shun relief materials
From Ali Garba, Bauchi
AFTER four days of crisis, which resulted in many deaths, serious injuries and loss of property worth millions of naira, normalcy is gradually returning to Bauchi metropolis.
The markets that were shut down during the crisis reopened yesterday with the exception of the ones owned by Igbo traders who said they were still studying the situation and would not want to risk their investments.
But over 5,000 refugees from the crisis have refused to collect their relief materials supplied by the Nigerian Red Cross at the Gudum Sayawa, by Railway Quarters.
For now, the military have completely taken over the security of Bauchi and are being led by the GOC, 3 Amoured, Jos, Gen. Saleh Maina, who is personally monitoring the situation alongside other top military personnel who include the Brigade Commander, 33 Field Brigade, Bauchi, Gen. Muraina Raji as well as the Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Adanaya Talman-Gaya.
Army Public Relations Officer in charge of the Nigerian Amoured Corps, Lt.-Col. Mohammed Dole, who confirmed the coming of the GOC in an interview, said he was around basically to assess the security and brief the appropriate military high authority, adding that he would shuttle between Jos and Bauchi on a regular basis until the situation improved.
At a media briefing held in his office yesterday, the Bauchi State Police Commissioner warned that anyone caught breaching the curfew order imposed on Bauchi metropolis and its environs would be treated as an offender and dealt with in accordance with all relevant laws of the land.
Talman-Gaya, who advised residents of Bauchi to shun rumour-mongering which he said was the cause of the reprisal attacks, however, called on them to immediately report to the security agents around any movement that was questionable.
He, however, dispelled rumours that there were attacks in Gudun Hausawa and Gudun Sayawa, all suburbs of Bauchi
The refugees' reason for rejecting the relief materials was that since the crisis started last Friday, neither the state governor, Isa Yuguda nor any government official had found it expedient to visit them.
The refugees, in unison, shouted in Hausa "Dakar ba sai mu, Governor," meaning "we'll not collect until we see the governor."
The Executive Secretary of the Red Cross, Adamu Abubarkar, pleaded in vain for the refugees to accept the relief materials at about 1.30 p.m.
The relief materials consisted of sundry food items.
