Faceoff between security forces and gunmen in Borno and Yobe states has caused the death of “hundreds”, a forum of elders said yesterday, urging both sides to agree to a ceasefire so as to end the bloodshed.

Joint military teams in the two restive states have upped their activities in Maiduguri and Damaturu in the past weeks to root out attackers from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, aka Boko Haram, but residents say more innocent people than gunmen were killed in the process. The Borno Elders Forum, which had severally called for the withdrawal of the military, issued a statement in Maiduguri yesterday saying that the killings looking more like genocide and must be stopped.

“The killings run into hundreds, and it seems the people are facing genocide,” said the statement, which was titled ‘A Passionate Appeal for Restraint,’ and signed by former minister Shettima Ali Monguno.

But the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State said there is no genocide in its activities and that it was operating with “utmost respect to the constitution.”

The elders’ statement said, “Nobody seems to care even as the fasting Muslims were killed, maimed, robbed, or displaced. It is indeed pathetic and unfortunate that such a situation will be allowed to happen to innocent Muslims. The blood of the innocent flows and they are on their own.”

It added: “The plight of the thousands of the victims of this crisis is horrendous. Thousands were displaced and thousands others are fleeing their homes, even in this Holy month of Ramadan.”

Yesterday’s call by the Borno elders came in the wake of allegations by some residents of Maiduguri that security forces were secretly burying corpses of civilians killed in the crisis in mass graves because hospital mortuaries are overstretched.

There have also been killings of civilians blamed on the Boko Haram sect itself, as well as criminal activities apparently by people who are exploiting the situation to engage in robberies.

“The Borno Elders Forum will not be tired or frustrated and will continue to call on all sides to restrain themselves. We are therefore calling on the aggrieved sect to respect and honor this Holy month of Ramadan, lay down their arms, embrace peace and dialogue, and as well consider retracing their steps back into the society,” the statement said.

“They need to reflect on the consequences of their actions on the larger society. They need to take pity in the plight of their own people in their own land.

“We equally call on the JTF and all security operatives to respect the rights of innocent Muslims. It is their duty to protect all Nigerians. They also need to honor this Holy month of Ramadan in which all Muslims observe fasting. Fasting Muslims need help, need assistance, need care and not harassment and violence.

“In the spirit of this Holy month of Ramadan we are calling for an immediate truce, an immediate cessation of hostilities which would lead to a permanent solution.

“We are equally calling for the return of the fleeing masses to their homes. We wish to request the JTF and the government to quickly facilitate their return to enable them celebrate the forthcoming Eid el-Fitr Sallah in their homes, happily with their children.”

The JTF yesterday dismissed the allegation of genocide by the elders’ forum. “There is nothing to respond in the appeal by the Borno elders. In my understanding, it is just a passionate appeal to concerned citizens to do what is right,” spokesman Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa said.

“It is a move in the right direction which is welcomed by the JTF. Be that as it may, let me reiterate that there has never been a recorded or an established case of genocide against the JTF in Maiduguri.

“We operate and will continue to operate within the mandate and powers approved by appropriate superior authority with utmost respect to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

‘Secret burials going on’

Residents of Kaleri, Gaidamari, Budun and Bulabulin areas in Maiduguri alleged it is common to see corpses of civilians immediately after confrontation between gunmen and JTF operatives.

“Last week, I personally saw a tipper loaded with dead bodies heading towards Baga road…it was very early in the morning but I don’t know their destination,” a trader, who gave his name as Muntari, told Daily Trust.

When our correspondents visited the morgue of the State Specialists Hospital in Maiduguri on Wednesday, it was found that the mortuary was filled up with corpses.

Mortuary attendants claimed they were still receiving dead bodies, most of them being dropped by security agencies without explanation.

A mortuary attendant who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporter that between Sunday and Wednesday morning, 19 corpses were taken to the hospital from different parts of the town.

“We are still receiving corpses but the freezers inside the mortuary are filled up already and relatives are yet to come for claim,” the attendant said.

“Right now, the 19 corpses which were brought to the hospital are lying on the ground because the freezers are already filled up.”

A bad odour was oozing out from the mortuary even though the power generating set was functioning.

Another source said the smell was from the decomposing corpses lying on ground inside the mortuary since on Sunday.

No hospital official was willing to speak on the record yesterday on the number of dead bodies taken to the mortuary in the last ten days.

More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2233-genocide-going-on-in-borno-yobe-borno-elders-cry-out

Hail nigeria army. Its a welcome development and im looking forward to 25% annihalation of northern moslem population. That wil give southern nigeria everlasting political domination come 2015. Boko haram should continue so that more muslim infidels be massacre. Hail Biafra

na who dey commit this genocide, boko haram or jtf?

They are creating more Boko Haram sympathisers with their hare-brained military tactics of punishing the civilian populace. This is not the Biafra era. In the post-cold war era, it's hard to wage a military campaign successfully that depends heavily on atrocities against civilians.

In the end, they will have to negotiate with the more moderate elements of Boko Haram to end this and hope that the more hardcore elements are isolated until they're defeated. Attacking innocent civilians only serves as a recruitment tool, that's how we got here in the first place.

Overwhelm the state with security force, BH will melt into the night and Borno State will be better for it! Send in more soldiers!

Biafra4tharmy: Hail nigeria army. Its a welcome development and im looking forward to 25% annihalation of northern moslem population. That wil give southern nigeria everlasting political domination come 2015. Boko haram should continue so that more muslim infidels be massacre. Hail Biafra

Many nuts have loosened out in your brain..that no neuro-surgeon will take up your case.

Why is it hard for them to tell Boko Haram to stop terrorism. JTF will never be withdrawn from the North until there is 100% peace.

MAY GOD C US TRU OHHHHHHHHHHHHH
THE SAFE PLACE IS IN GOD......THERE IS NO PEACE ANYWHERE AGAIN.
JTF IS BOKO HARAM AND BOKO HARAM IS JTF

;DBITCHES!!!...una neva c anitin.dem go use unna 4 berbecue until una talk were BOKO H. Hide.....clawns?

PointB: Overwhelm the state with security force, BH will melt into the night and Borno State will be better for it! Send in more soldiers!

Yes oooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Keep them coming. Rebellion must be crushed. Awon omo irankiran. E pa won danu.

JTF carry go. It is operation fire for fire. Pikin wey say em mama no go sleep, eno go sleep too. Fire........................

Dont know what to use to describe you,it shows you are highly stupid with your self centred opinion

Biafra4tharmy: Hail nigeria army. Its a welcome development and im looking forward to 25% annihalation of northern moslem population. That wil give southern nigeria everlasting political domination come 2015. Boko haram should continue so that more muslim infidels be massacre. Hail Biafra

God forgive you for being so dull when you have enough opportunity to use your brain to the fullest, stupid mofo.

Biafra4tharmy: Hail nigeria army. Its a welcome development and im looking forward to 25% annihalation of northern moslem population. That wil give southern nigeria everlasting political domination come 2015. Boko haram should continue so that more muslim infidels be massacre. Hail Biafra

i weep for Nigeria with comments like this. I really hope you are joking. and I am a southern & Christian Nigerian

fathers n mothers of criminals who breed children like rats are now complaining because d soldiers are begining 2 do wat dey are supose 2 do. expose boko haram who are ur sons n d soldiers wil hav no business in ur land if not d soldiers wil continue 2 do dia job n by d way i wil expect dem 2 add rape 2 ur charges because its not eazy 2 leave ur family 4 long in d name of peace keeping as a consequences of war n ur inability 2 live peacefully wit odas. SPONSORS OF TERRORIST

The elders are calling on both sides to ceasefire i.e. JTF & BH. Am I missing something? ?

Biafra4tharmy: Hail nigeria army. Its a welcome development and im looking forward to 25% annihalation of northern moslem population. That wil give southern nigeria everlasting political domination come 2015. Boko haram should continue so that more muslim infidels be massacre. Hail Biafra

You are nothing short of a wasted sperms,people are being killed and you are busy talking as if a muslim life is diferent frm any other nigerian,all the army is doing is action in fulility,why cnt they display the bodies of boko hallam fighters on nta 4 d whole world to see?i see more bombs,this the only coments u do made anytime an issue bothering the north is mention,check your previous post

Kill them all.. Where were those so called elders when boko haram was busy killing people and bombing churches why didn't they cry our or are they just learning how to cry.

Genocide my arse! These islamists are experts at reverse propaganda. Anybody who has lived up north can tell you that the youth obey the elders fanatically. If they want the occupation by soldiers to end, they need to quit horsing around in the media and tell their youth to stop planting bombs and ambushing jtf patrol teams.

JTF pls sustain the operation until there is peace in that region! Until those animals are wiped out. Those who call themselves elders forum are just big funny clowns. When people were massacred in the north by their BH brothers, what did they do, did they cry out? NO, rather they kept quite, because in Islam, you can never hand over a fellow Muslim to infidels (non believers)
JTF MUST FINISH THEM, until those foolish elders tell Nigerians where those animals are hiding.

What ìs the work of military intelligent,does nigerian army has one,what is the work of sss,do we have one,where is the counter terrorism unit of the nigerian police,the truth ìs that we dnt have the above mention security outfit some blind fellow are busy hailing jtf,what for,how many boko hallam members are behind bars?the entity call nigeria is a total disaster take it or live it

Toktee: You are nothing short of a wasted sperms,people are being killed and you are busy talking as if a muslim life is diferent frm any other nigerian,all the army is doing is action in fulility,why cnt they display the bodies of boko hallam fighters on nta 4 d whole world to see?i see more bombs,this the only coments u do made anytime an issue bothering the north is mention,check your previous post

Mr biafra4tharmy why do u talk like dis, are u a nigerian at all?

mykejones: May God continue to protect,guard and defend all JTF members posted to the troubled states in the Country.
Amen.

amen

Where were u&d useless borno elders wen innocent xtians,bystanders,islamic clerics,churches etc were being killed&burnt.its now u bists know there are innocent civilians.pls JTF wen next u are rounding up dis civilians aiding the evil boko haram elements for execution,dont forget to round up all dis fulish borno elders starting wit the ex minster along wit dem. Thank u JTF&may GodAlmighty continue to uphold you-Amen

U are a disaster as well-Amen

Everyday,nigerians will be shouting on President Jonathan to act and they will be citing Odi massacre as example.and remember,nobody liked Odi massacre when it happened bt recently,many people are using it as example to prove dat OBJ acted and Jonathan aint acting.one thing is provable,nigeria has alot of educated fools within it..actually,this incidence of Borno is happening when the military are still using Manoevre tactis and not attrition and i wonder what will happen when they use attrition.it will be the end of normal human existence in north.nobody can claim rightly dat soldiers are not killing civilians because nigeria soldiers has neva gone on intervention without killing people unnecessarily.i do know quite well dat terminating BH activity will not be achieved with just militar activity.

wipe dm out!infact d whole northern race,jux as in d case of odi,bayelsa..PEACE MUST REIGN IN NIGERIA!

[b][/b] D foolish elders of cows nd donkeys should call their boko haram brodas 2 a dialogue instead of calling for a cease-fire.
JTF, keep firingggggg::: kill all damnd enemies of peace. Lord God Almighty wil help U.