BY PETER OKUTU, ABAKALIKI

THE evacuation of 283 indigenes of South East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country from Borno State by the Ebonyi State government elicited a lot of cheer from most of the returnees as they had almost given up hope of escaping from the lion’s den before Governor Martin Elechi came to their rescue.

The government had initially planned on evacuating only 168 indigenes of the State but ended up having to do same for indigenes of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states who were equally stranded in Maiduguri as a result of the menace of Boko Haram sect in the State.

On Saturday July 16, the state government placed a call to the Chairman, Ebonyi Indigenes in Maiduguri, Mr. Patrick Chukwu, on the possibility of a rescue mission which later paved way for the arrival on Tuesday July 19 of all the indigenes and non-indigenes of the State to the Ebonyi State Government House, Abakaliki, under the watchful eyes of men of the Nigeria Police.

Indeed, the evacuees who arrived safely from Maiduguri could not hide their joy as they sang songs of victory in appreciation to God for using Governor Elechi to put an end to their plight in Borno State.

Speaking on the evacuation operation, the Secretary to the Government, SSG, Chief Fidelis Mbam gave a breakdown of the number of those brought back as: Ebonyi, 168; Enugu, 23; Anambra, 24; Imo, 33; Abia, 28; Akwa Ibom, 6 and Delta 1. He added that six buses heavily guarded by men of the Nigeria Police made the evacuation operation successful.

According to him: “We got wind that some people were stranded as a result of the Boko Haram crisis in Maiduguri.

We called immediately and said that all measures must be taken to make sure that people who were stranded at the park were assisted to come back home. So following that directive, we got all these vehicles assembled within three hours.

“They travelled on Saturday night and arrived 7:30 Sunday night. We were in touch with Mr. Patrick Chukwu who went and got all our brothers and sisters who were hiding and assembled all of them. It is not only Ebonyi that we have helped to come back. The Governor have proven again that he is truly a father in the South Eastern zone of the country”.

*Happy to be home: Returnees expressing joy on arrival from Maiduguri

Vanguard Metro reliably gathered the State government spent over N9 million in the rescue operation and that the sum of N20,000 was given to each of the 283 persons who arrived the state capital on Tuesday July 19.

Receiving the returnees at Government House, Abakaliki, Governor Elechi condemned the activities of the Boko Haram sect, adding that his government was committed to uplifting the well-being of citizens of the country.

According to him: “Let us thank God that those of them who found themselves in a difficult situation in Borno State have come back. There was no report of injuries on the way; we thank God for journey mercies.

“So without any further delay, I know they are hungry and tired, and are itching to see their dear ones at home. So, we have to make vehicles available for them to start going to their different states.

And when you get home you know where to report, the Government House in your various states. We will provide each of you N20,000 so that you can buy food and eat.

“Each of the men and drivers should also be given the same treatment so that they leave immediately. That, I think, is easier than looking for a place to accommodate them. So we thank God”.

In their separate testimonies, two victims from Ebonyi and Abia states, Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Flora Timothy, respectively expressed appreciation for the kind gesture demonstrated by Governor Elechi even as they narrated their ugly experiences with the Boko Haram sect.

Mr. Samuel from Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State noted thus: “I have had lots of encounters with death while in Borno State. There are about five sects in Borno but the most dangerous is the Boko Haram.

They insisted that they would not put on the helmet as demanded by the present government. The members of Boko Haram usually go for television interviews with their faces covered. We only saw their mouths while they were speaking.

“The major issue in Borno is that they want the present Governor to step aside. They said he is not the one that won the election in the State. Meanwhile, the Governor has refused to do such a thing, although the matter is still in court.

“We were always hearing bomb blasts in my area before we were rescued. But the most fearful was when I encountered death several times. I have been living in Maiduguri for over 12 years.

I deal in female wears, but now I don’t intend to go back even though my goods are still there. I hope to get them back as soon as normalcy returns to the place.

“I’m very grateful to Governor Elechi for rescuing us. When we heard about the vehicle coming to pick us we were very happy. We hadn’t money to return from Maiduguri. We are very happy because our journey was very safe. My plan is to resettle in my state”.

On her part, Mrs. Flora Timothy, an indigene of Abia State had this to say: “I have lived in Maiduguri for the past 15 years. My experience in that place is really terrible.

We were frequently exposed to bomb blasts, gunshots and killings. The Boko Haram sect particularly indulged in killing Christians. I’m very glad that I’m in Ebonyi right now.

God really used the Governor to rescue us. We went to the bank on Friday to withdraw money but the banks were not functioning. We came back without any kobo but we came down here free of charge with 20 escorts behind us.

God really used him to bless us. God used him to intervene on our behalf”.