President booed over burning of Nigerian motorists

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was booed by residents during a “sympathy visit” to Maiduguri in Borno state, following an attack in the area that killed 30 people.

A video shared online shows young people shouting “ba ma so”, which means “we don’t want” in Hausa, as the presidential convoy drove through the region on Wednesday. 

Tuesday’s attack saw militants burn travellers to death while they were sleeping in their cars during an overnight stop in the village of Auno. 

Residents reported that most of the victims were travelling to the state capital of Maiduguri, but were forced to stay in Auno overnight because the military had closed the road leading to the city.

President Buhari flew directly to Maiduguri on Wednesday from Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa, where he had been on a state visit. 

The president then met with Borno residents and state officials, before tweeting his assurance to all Nigerians that security improvements were on their way. 

“I assure all Nigerians that we are taking steps to ensure improvements in security, nationwide. In Borno the military will work harder to deal with the insurgents. I am also appealing to community leaders and the populace to give our troops the intelligence and cooperation needed”, the tweet read. 

However, Nigerian media reported that residents were tired of the promises made by government and wanted definitive action to stop the attacks. 

Photo: Africa Feeds