Maroua-Kousséri: The route used by Boko Haram militants

Since the abandonment of the rehabilitation work of the Maroua-Kousséri road by a Chinese company, the Islamist sect has multiplied its murderous abuses.

However, the return of the rainy season in the Far North has further complicated a situation which was already gloomy. It is now virtually impossible to move from Maroua to Kousséri by automobile.

"The road is 265 km long and can be covered in 12 hours using a 4 x 4 vehicle. There is a first stretch of 60 km between Maroua and Mora which can be covered in 45 minutes. However, without a 4 x 4 vehicle, which drives at more than 40 km/h, it takes a maximum of 2 hours to cover," noted Joel an inhabitant of Maroua who is familiar with the road.

After passing the jolts between Maroua and Mora, the passenger is still faced with other hazards on the road which have been named as the “highway of death" by inhabitants in the region.

The Mora-Waza trench is passable in some places. However, there are certain settlements such as Double, where militants indicated that they are plagued by Boko Haram terrorists. On December 30, 2014, a policeman named Ibrahim Oumarou was found dead at the area. He succumbed to the attack of armed men from the police station located on the national road n ° 1 where he was stationed.

A pickup truck, belonging to the 41st battalion of the motorized infantery, was attacked by assailants not far from Waza on December 28, 2014. Two soldiers died and two others were injured. The day before, their comrades in the BIR passed over an improvised explosive device during a patrol. A BIR soldier died.

At least five cars were attacked by armed men with rifles on December 24. The attackers had no casualties. On December 1, almost at the same place, the insurgents attacked the car of a Banking Corporation, killing two people and wounding another.

Not a single truck passes through this location without the risk of being attacked by terrorists. Only motorcyclists can dare peak at over 60 km/h. Except that it serves as a means of conveyance for the terrorists. After Waza, the journey is further complicated.

Around Dabanga, nearly 60 km, the national road n ° 1 the armed men are based near the border of the State of Borno in Nigeria. It is the stronghold of Boko Haram and they always make this known through incessant deadly incursions carried out. After Dabanga is the flood zone of Logone and Chari.

Only the most skilled drivers can escape. In the dry season they are guided by a little compass. But during the rainy season there are left at the mercy of armed men. They must go through the Mayo Danay, where the road is less bumpy but not paved. However, hope was born with the arrival of a Chinese company in 2013.

True to their reputation as great workers, Chinese technicians advanced the work on this road. Unfortunately, in May 2014, Boko Haram terrorists abducted about a dozen of them. Thus, the company had to stop work. The release of its employees in October 2014 did not encourage them to continue their work despite firm promises.