Panic in Yola

Report reaching us is confirming that there is a sense of tension and panic among residents of  Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Some travellers we met along
Mayo Belwa road claimed they were fleeing from possible in Yola. An elderly man among the convoy of cars said "when they (referring to boko haram) attacked Michika and Madagali they boasted that they will go to Mubi, and now it is history". The Media reported about that possibility but no one listened until now that is too late. Too late because to recapture Mubi would entail massive destruction of property since the military is going for aerial bombardment of boko haram hideouts.
Statements coming out of Mubi also indicate an alleged rumour of the terrorist marching down to capture Yola hence the panic is not unfounded.
We are appealing to residents to be calm and be more vigilant of strange people around them. They should immediately report unusual movement of groups unknown to them in their communities.
Political and religious leaders, as well as traditional rulers, as a matter of urgency, must properly educate their followers on the need to be watchful and resist the spread of hate speeches.
The Government on its part must be on alert to quickly respond to crises as they occur, provide adequate security cover to residents; especially now that youths of Adamawa are willing to partake in securing their communities, security agents should take advantage of this angle and mobilise them to man the exit entry points to their various settlements.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with the military and civil society must come out enforce to dissuade citizens from fleeing their homes on account of rumour. They should also dessimite authoritative information to people. Without proper information on happenings as they occur people would fallback to panic and rumour mongering.