Following incessant violent attacks on hapless citizens by Boko Haram insurgents in the city of Kano in recent times, and the uncertainty of what might befall them after the 2015 elections; non-indigenes living in the ancient city have started moving out of the state.

Newswatch Times investigations revealed that most of those affected had been overwhelmed with fears that the forthcoming 2015 general election may turn out to be violent; and started relocating their families, mostly to the South East and its neighbouring states.

When our correspondent visited the New Road, Sabon Gari motor park yesterday, it was observed that some residents, who were predominantly from the South East, were negotiating fares to convey their entire household goods to the region, particularly Onitsha and Owerri.

At the close of the day, two passengers travelling toward same location settled to charter a truck to convey them to their various destinations at a cost, ranging between N100, 000 and N150, 000.

As at the time our correspondent arrived the park at noon on Saturday, over two trucks had already departed the garage, all heading East-wards, accompanied by the owners of the personal effects.

One of the travellers, who spoke on conditions of anonymity for fear of victimisation, told our correspondent that her husband had decided to relocate the entire family to the South, due to growing fears that the forthcoming election may not be hitch-free.

According to her, her husband, who is a businessman, would remain in Kano for some time to enable him assess the situation, but that he would join them at home, if he is suspicious that all may not be well during the elections.

On a daily basis, between three and four trucks, packed with personal effects of people leaving the Kano city, depart the metropolis for the South East over fears of the unknown concerning the forthcoming elections.

Usually, those that accompany the trucks are mostly women and children, whose respective family members had decided to relocate them in the nick of time, so as to avoid being caught unawares.

To date, over 15 different family members have already relocated, and from all indications, many will also relocate from the city, just as last Friday’s bomb blast, which rocked the Kano Central mosque, has escalated fears that some fleeing insurgents from Yobe and Maiduguri must have infiltrated Kano to resume their insurgent activities.

This situation continues to be a source of worry, fear and panic among the non-indigenous communities resident in Kano.

•Texy courtesy of Newswatch Times. Photo shows Nigerians fleeing from a Boko Haram-ravaged community.

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