AWKA-FOLLOWING the threat by
the secterian group, Boko
Haram, asking Christians in the
Northern part of the country to
leave the area within three days,
an ultimatum that expired
yesterday, many northerners
residing in various parts of
Anambra State have been
deserting their places of
business and fleeing to
unknown places.
Though there was no threat to
their lives whatsoever in any
part of the state, some of them
said they did not want to take
chances, in view of the warning
by the Boko Haram sect.
In Awka, most of the
northerners who serve as
security guards and foreign
exchange traders were seen
moving in groups to the border
town of Amansea in Awka
which has a large concentration
of northerners.
It was not clear yesterday if they
intended to depart the state
completely, but many
house
holds that engaged their
services said they returned
from New Year celebration
only to discover that their
guards had abandoned their
duty posts.
At a popular residential estate in
Awka GRA, th
e northerners
guarding the area approached
their employers yesterday
demanding that they be paid
off because they were afraid
to continue with the job. Not
even the assurances of the
residents could make them
change their mind as they
moved out soon after
collecting their money.
Suya spots in the town have
also disappeared,
while some
of the popular yam, onion and
tomato markets did not have
commodities yesterday because
the trailer drivers bringing them
did not come.
One of the guards, Mohammed,
said: "
It is not that we do not
like to remain here. The
reason we want to leave is
due to the threat by Boko
Haram which made our people
to ask us to return
immediately."
He, however, promised that
they would come back when
the situation of things
normalized.
The popular Bridge Head goat
market in Onitsha has also been
deserted as the northerners
selling in the market could not
be seen.
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