Boko Haram insurgents are said to have been allegedly luring residents of Geidam in Yobe state to join the group or see them in good light with N20,000 each.
Daily Trust reported that many families in Geidam town of Yobe State have received N20,000 each from Boko Haram fighters loyal to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Eyewitnesses told the publication that while security forces succeeded in getting into the town on Monday April 26, three days after the invasion, fighters of the terrorist group were still in the town up till Wednesday April 28.
Abba, a resident of Geidam said;
“Some people are still living in Geidam have received the N20,000 from Boko Haram as Ramadan gift.
“Some families willingly collected the money while others collected it out of fear…They don’t want to be flogged or killed if they reject it.”
A woman who doesn’t want her name mentioned, also said the terrorists were preaching to the people.
She said;
“It is a dangerous dimension for now because they would end up recruiting our children. Government should confront them.”
Security expert Salihu Bakhari also said;
“Treating people well is one of the membership drive strategy of ISWAP in contrast to what Abubakar Shekau does.
“The federal forces must not allow the terrorists to remain in Geidam, they should flush them out so that we would not have a repeat of what is happening in the Lake Chad region. More than 70 per cent of the residents have vacated their houses which is good. However, those remaining in the town could be influenced by the terrorists who have started enforcing some of their so-called laws including leading them in prayers.”
It was also reported that many Geidam families have moved to Damaturu, the state capital, while others have joined their extended families and acquaintances in Dapchi, Babban Gida, Gashua and other towns.
