Photos of unkempt old woman in Borno IDP are false- state govt says, shares new photos of the old woman
On Tuesday 5th January, 2016, some photos were circulated on the social media about a certain internally displaced old woman camped precisely at the Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri. It was insinuated that the old woman and many within the camp were 'daily' being subjected to some inhuman and cruel treatment. The report even suggests that "the aged woman in the picture testifies the devastating situation in which the IDPs lived in the Maiduguri's harsh, cold weather." The sponsors of the image made every attempt to rubbish the good intentions and efforts of the Borno State Government under the stewardship of Governor Kashim Shettima in providing succour to the internally displaced persons at the various IDPs' camps in the state.
When I went through the report; I nodded my head in disagreement. I knew that mischief makers were at it again. I refrained myself, as personal aide to Governor Shettima, from joining issues with Facebook friends and other members of the online community who have been hoodwinked into believing the story; some people even called me on phone to draw my attention to the old woman's "pathetic" plight as painted. I told them not to hastily draw any conclusions from "unsubstantiated" stories like these, which could be politically-motivated and sponsored by the enemies of Govornor Shettima until we are able to establish the authenticity of the report. I told them I will do my personal investigation the following day, and possibly, as Special Assistant to Governor Shettima on Special Duties, investigating such kind of report falls within my mandate under "Special Duties". I also told them I will see the old woman in question.
The next day, that is, today, Wednesday 6th January, 2016, as soon as I got to my office, I swung into action. I told myself I was not going to Dalori IDPs Camp alone because no matter my findings as a political appointee no one will believe my story. I needed to have witnesses.
As I arrived my office, I met the newly elected exco members of the Borno Social Media Frontiers (BSF) waiting for me. They had actually intimated me yesterday that they would be paying me a courtesy call in my office on Wednesday, to unveil the new officials of the organisation to me and seek my blessings and advice.
As soon as we exchanged the normal pleasantries and handshake, I craved the understanding of my guests to allow us visit the Dalori IDPs camp and later on arrival we start the courtesy call. They all agreed and four of them volunteered to accompany me to the camp on behalf of the BSF to see firsthand the true situation of things with respect to the old woman. Dr. Umar Abdullahi Maina (Deputy Coordinator BSF), El-Lawan Mustapha (Publicity Secretary), Zannah Lawan Ajimi (Org. Secretary) and Hassan Umar Kamfut (Northern Coordinator) agreed to be part of the team.
When we arrived Dalori camp around 11am, it took us almost 30 minutes waiting to be cleared by the military personnel stationed at the main entrance of the camp. At a point when they got to know my mission to the camp as a special aide to Governor Shettima, they requested for a cover-up letter before they could allow us in. Not even my ID card could help. I was wondering what the military personnel, a captain, was up to, when suddenly a tinted Toyota Hilux military vehicle, that pulled up at the entrance was also ordered to be properly screened before it is allowed in. Such was the nature of security provided at the camp. Very tight. And patiently, we explained our mission and the seriousness and absoluteness attached to it, until a camp official volunteered to lead us to the old woman.
Fortunately for us, the camp official who is from SEMA identified the old woman as Ya Kellu. He said the photos being circulated on the social media was, in fact, an old photo of the said old woman admitted to the camp. He said the particular photo trending on the social media depicting "an emaciated old woman" was taken on the day she was rescued from Bama and brought to Dalori camp by members of the CJTF. That was more than a year ago, precisely around July 2014. Eureka!!! I said it. It is the work of mischief makers!
As if he knew what was on my mind the SEMA official brought out his phone and went straight to the Photo Gallery, flipped through several photos, where he showed us more of Ya Kellu's photos after her recuperation, which dates back to August 6, 2014. (Attached is the picture for all to see.)
Without wasting much time we eventually located Ya Kellu in her tent. Believe me, the camp official (who told us he had been working in the camp for the past two years) seemed to know every old and new occupant of the camp. He took us to Ya Kellu and, lo and behold, we saw a vibrant looking old woman, full of energy and vitality, welcoming us. She was hale and hearty, and do not look sick at all as against what was being circulated on the social media yesterday. She has, in fact, added weight. She could lift 25kg of stone, I swear.
How wicked could people be? What has Governor Shettima done to deserve all these blackmail? Has Governor Shettima not tried his best for his people since 2011 when he came on board, inherited a state faced with the greatest human calamity of Boko Haram, yet, as "Captain of the Boat", he was able to safely paddle Borno State and Maiduguri in particular, to safety through the grace of God Almighty. Many thoughts ran on my mind.
Well, we greeted Mama (Ya Kellu) and got talking with her in the Kanuri dialect. She was an ebulient personality. She was always chuckling at our jokes. She told us little about herself; the car accident she had decades ago and her experience with snake bite few years ago in Bama, etc, etc.
Believe me, while we got talking we took photographs and even videoed the whole drama that played out, and as you could see from the photos (and video), there is nothing to suggest the old woman was ill or even mentally unstable or being subjected to any form of degrading and dehumanizing condition by camp officials or the Borno State Government as alleged. In fact, to test her mental stability, in the middle of our jokes, one of us, shrewdly, pulled out a N10 and N1000 notes from his pocket. She knew which was big and small denomination. And before we could say Jack Robinson, she grabbed the N1000 note and burst into a hysteric laughter. We followed suit, also chuckling. (Watch out for the video evidence).
Meeting Mama (Ya Kellu) and learning to know that she is doing well, hale and hearty, as against what was portrayed about her by enemies in the social media, indeed, warmed the cockles of my heart. I know for sure that if Mama had known that someone had used her old photos, that had nothing to do with her present condition, to try to paint the administration of Governor Shettima in bad light, she will cast a murrain on such person. Mama (Ya Kellu) is simply happy. Anyone in doubt can check on her.
Shortly after we left Ya Kellu, we visited the catering unit (i.e Kitchen) of the camp to see the quality of food served Ya Kellu and the other IDPs. Fortunately, we met several children being served their lunch- jollof rice and beans, and we joined them to eat. The meal, to say the least, was delicious. (See photos). It meets the standards of many 'Mama Put' food joint we see around. Dr. Abdullahi Maina, Deputy Coordinator BSF, that was part of my team, told us that the 'meal met every standard of a balanced diet'.
As we left the kitchen, leaving the camp, we came across some IDPs who were petty traders, displaying various items at one portion of the camp. We empowered some of them by buying their goods and in turns distributed same to children playing around.
I would therefore appeal to the general public, particularly members of the online community to always cross-check their facts and every information before passing judgement. Governor Shettima, who stood thick and thin with his people throughout the Boko Haram crisis from 2011 to date, will not contemplate to do anything that will harm his people.
Thank you for the patience in going through this lengthy piece. God bless!
Christopher Godwin Akaba (JP),
Special Assistant to Borno State Governor on Special Duties
Special Assistant to Borno State Governor on Special Duties
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