Civilians take up arms against Boko Haram

In Northern Nigeria, civilians are taking up arms to fight the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram, in the face of the army’s inability to protect local populations, according to Fr John Bakeni, secretary of Maiduguri diocese, writes Fredrick Nzwili.

Under vigilantes locally known as Yan Banga or Yan Baka or Maharba, people are confronting the superior weapons of the Islamists using homemade guns or adaka, bows and arrows, machetes, spears and hooks.

So armed, these groups have successfully liberated three towns from the grip of the terrorists, according to the priest. Their membership is made up of Christians, Muslims and adherents of traditional religions.

“They are courageous and seem more daring than the military. They are helpful and are winning our confidence and trust at the moment. They have the blessing of faith leaders,” said Fr Bakeni.

He said the Government had tried to stop the vigilantes, but they resisted saying that government forces were the ones losing towns to the Islamists.