The peaceful city of the Kanuri
Of beautiful maidens and splendid horses
Of open hands and palms
And a magnet for students and scholars
Has turned into a hell on Earth
A murderous spot
Of terror and horror
Of assassins and kidnappers
Of extrajudicial killings
And downright senselessness
The voices of Malams reading the Qur’an
And the songs of children on the streets of Maiduguri
Are now replaced by bomb blasts and gun shots
Terrifying sounds now likened to ringtones
Your soul has been stolen, Maiduguri
Fight for it!