President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday traveled to Maiduguri, in Borno State to sympathize with residents after series of deadly attacks by militants.
But his trip there ended in some level of embarrassment after residents of the area, booed him in anger at the rising insecurity and killings by Boko Haram terrorists.
According to local media thousands of the residents mobilised to the streets ahead of Buhari’s arrival in Maiduguri.
The residents mostly youth then expressed their displeasure as the President’s convoy made its way into the metropolis.
They shouted in Hausa ‘Ba ma so,’ meaning ‘we don’t like what is happening,’ or ‘we are not pleased with your visit.’
Insecurity: Borno residents boo Buhari
President Muhammdu Buhari was booed by residents of Maiduguri during his sympathy visit to the area.
The residents lined up on both sides of the road along the airport way, shouting in Hausa, ‘Ba ma so’ roughly means: ‘we don’t want.’ pic.twitter.com/mfMBszLglT
— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) February 12, 2020
Public anger
This is the first time residents of Maiduguri publicly directed their anger at the president.
On Social media Nigerians reacted to the incident.
Wonderful world, so Buhari could be booed? What next will Nigerians do to him as things continue to deteriorate?
— el_makeeyu musa (@makiyu_musa) February 13, 2020
Borno Booed Buhari.
I wonder how boko haram has survived up till now – Buhari.
You can’t make up inefficiency and incompetency.
— Sir Ariyo-Dare Atoye (@AriyoAristotle) February 13, 2020
Borno state that gave Pres. @buhari 836,496 votes during the 2019 presidential election, residents trooped out enmass & booed Buhari yesterday.
Fellow Nigerians this fellows suddenly Woke up to realise he wasn’t their messiah after all.
— Ijoma Peter Obi (@IPO_censored) February 13, 2020
But his party the APC said in a tweet with a video that the President was well received on Wednesday.
President Buhari was well received yesterday (12/02/2020) in Maiduguri… pic.twitter.com/fgShK13nTV
— APC Nigeria (@APCNigeria) February 13, 2020
Boko Haram attack
On Sunday Boko Haram militants burnt at least 30 people to death while they were sleeping in their cars in Borno State.
The militants also abducted women and children in this attack. Nigerian officials said the attack took place in Auno town on a major highway in Borno State.
But Maiduguri has been at the center of series of deadly attacks from Boko Haram militants.
Buhari during his trip said Boko Haram insurgents cannot carry out attacks on the people without the supports of some of the locals.
“Boko Haram or whatever they are cannot come to Maiduguri or its environs without the local leadership knowing, the local leadership is in charge of security in their own respective areas.
“With my understanding of our culture, I wonder how Boko Haram survives up to this end,” he said.
Buhari also said that “We are working for you in this country; as Commander-in-Chief, I am dealing with the security institutions and I believe there is an improvement in security.
“I urge the people of the state to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies; let us deny Boko Haram access to our loyal citizens and encourage displaced people to go back to their land.”
Boko Haram and other militant groups have been wrecking havoc in Nigeria for years now, killing thousands and displacing millions.
Source: Africafeeds.com
