Boko Haram: Drivers offer free rides to returning residents of Auno
As residents of Auno Town in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno state troop back home following assurance of adequate security by Gov. Babagana Zulum, commercial drivers plying the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, are giving them free ride.
Residents of Auno which is few kilometres from Maiduguri, deserted the town in February, following an insurgent attack that led to many deaths and destruction of properties.
A driver, Bukar Gwange, said that the gesture was part of the drivers support to the returnees as they wish to see the once bubbling town bounce back to life.
“Auno is a place we use to get passengers and loads to and fro Maiduguri. When the sad incident happened in February, we were sad as it affected many of our colleagues and passengers.
“Now that the residents are returning home, we feel the best we can do is to give them free ride,”Gwange said.
Another driver, Ali Mohammed, stated that they always pick the returnees at Njimtilo area, in the outskirts of Maiduguri.
He said that after dropping the returnees in Auno, the drivers use the opportunity to pick passengers who are going back to Maiduguri from Ngamdu and Beneshiek
“That way, we get little money to ease the hardship caused by the lockdown due to the existing ban on interstate travels,” Mohammed said.
Dauda Mustafa, another commercial driver, said the free ride was a blessing in disguise as security personnel along the road also appreciate the gesture and no longer subject them to tedious screenings and delays.
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Meanwhile, Governor Zulum had already directed that an operational outreach office where he would be working from time-to-time, be set up for him in Auno, so as to boost the people’s confidence.
The governor has also established a zonal office of the state rapid response squad, made up of police, hunters, vigilante and civilian joint task force in Auno.
According to the Commander of the squad, Abioye Babalola, the team would not only ensure security in Auno and its environs, but also be on constant patrol and respond to distress calls along the busy Maiduguri-Damaru Road.
