Maiduguri, Nigeria - Night markets, carol
singers and even Santa Claus hats have returned to north-east
Nigeria's Maiduguri, in a sign that the threat from jihadist
group Boko Haram has ebbed.
Stalls display vegetables, fruit and fish and people chat
over cups of tea. It is a far cry from three years ago, when the
traditional food markets were closed by curfews imposed after
Boko Haram gunmen mounted attacks on them.
More than 15 000 people have been killed and over two
million forced to flee their homes by the Islamist militant
group's seven-year-old insurgency, aimed at creating a caliphate
under sharia law.
Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, was the city hardest hit.
But Boko Haram has been forced to retreat in recent months to
its stronghold in the Sambisa forest by Nigeria's army and
troops from neighbouring countries.
The curfew has been pushed back,
enabling night markets to remain open until 9 pm.
"We have returned home now that peace and security has been
restored to continue the business," said Ahmed Dangaskiye, whose
motorcyle taxi firm has been boosted by the return of late
trading at Gomari market in a southwestern district.
Abdul Jabar, a tea seller pouring hot drinks for clusters of
men in Custom market, in the southeast of the city, said that
until a few months ago, people did not leave home at night.
"Even by 5 p.m. nobody can come to this area, but now, thank
God, peace has come," he said.
Christmas carol singers, some wearing Santa Claus hats,
backed by congregations of at least 50 gather to sing hymns in
the predominantly Muslim city.
Boko Haram has carried out several deadly attacks on
churches in the past. The group still stages suicide bombings in
the northeast and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon.
In early December two schoolgirl suicide bombers killed 56
people at a daytime market in Madagali, 150km from
Maiduguri.
A pharmacist in Gomari market was aware of the need to
remain vigilant. "We have to search them outside
before coming here in case of any suicide bomber," he said.