Boko Haram: Shehu of Bama, El-Kanemi, Why we celebrated Sallah for first time in five years

The Shehu of Bama Kingdom of Borno State, Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, on Monday expressed delight that his people celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir for the first time in five years.

El-Kanemi said this was the first time in almost five years the community partook in the religious feast celebrated across the globe by all Muslims.

He said this while addressing his people on Monday during the Sallah feast.

According to El-Kanemi: “Today we are celebrating Sallah in Bama which we were not privileged to celebrate for the past five years.

“Indeed we have to be grateful to Allah SWT for sparing our lives and non among us here today that is thinking to live up to this moment to grace this Sallah celebration in Bama.”

Bama was the target of Boko Haram terrorists in the past, forcing natives and other inhabitants to flee their homes.

El-Kanemi, the traditional ruler wasn’t spared as his wife and daughter were reportedly abducted in 2014 and released two years after.

The monarch, alongside his counterpart from Dikwa, Masa II Ibn Umar El Kanemi, even fled their communities to reside in Maiduguri.

However, peace has since been restored to the area.

As part of the rehabilitation and reconstruction process, the monarchs returned in July in company of local government staff and primary school teachers accompanied by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who regained the Kingdom back from Boko Haram terrorists.

An eyewitness account revealed that there was free movement of people around the town, especially in public places without fear of any violence or attacks by Boko Haram throughout the Sallah season.

There was also a mass prayer on Sunday for the first time in a long while, led by the monarch himself.